naughty

adjective

ˈnȯ-tē How to pronounce naughty (audio)
Definition of naughtynext
as in mischievous
engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior told her to act her age and stop throwing temper tantrums like a naughty little girl

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of naughty Has Greta eaten or chewed on anything naughty? — Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026 The play was naughty stuff in 1925, when the show, starring Tallulah Bankhead, got banned. — Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 15 May 2026 His tics are not naughty mischief, but an uncontrollable action. — Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 Paltrow has been savvy at selling herself as naughty and nice. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for naughty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for naughty
  1. mischievous
  2. bad
Adjective
  • Paramount Great Again hat, but didn’t expect the mischievous executive to turn up in Edinburgh wearing the headgear.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Reports from across the UK show the mischievous character lurking outside windows and startling passersby.
    — Gina Park, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of mischievous
Adjective
  • The accident was one of the Portuguese capital’s worst tragedies in recent memory and cast a shadow over the city’s ongoing tourism boom.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The must-read Falling during a hike can lead to a serious injury, or even worse.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of bad

Browse Nearby Words

naughts
naughty
nausea
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Cite this Entry

“Naughty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/naughty. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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