mischief

[mis-chif] / ˈmɪs tʃɪf /

NOUN

trouble, damage

Synonyms

STRONGEST

catastrophe evil misconduct playfulness prank sabotage vandalism wrongdoing

STRONG

atrocity devilment devilry fault friskiness frolicsomeness gag harm hurt ill impishness injury misbehavior mischievousness misfortune naughtiness outrage rascality roguery roguishness shenanigans sportiveness transgression waggery waggishness wrong

WEAK

dirty trick funny business high jinks misdoing monkey business waywardness

Antonyms

STRONG

advantage aid behavior benefit blessing good happiness help kindness obedience right

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Rob Glenny, from Beano, said the coin captures Dennis' "mischief", saying it is a "brilliant way to mark 75 years of laughs, pranks and unleashed imagination".

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

“We see potential for seasonal-adjustment mischief in the January data,” said Richard Moody, chief U.S. economist at Regions Financial.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 8, 2026

The worst that befell most of those duped by New Year’s Eve AI-generated mischief was a little discomfort, embarrassment and wasted time.

From Salon • Jan. 21, 2026

Now that I have done so, I picture Harper smirking at me, suddenly bored by how easy adults are to manipulate and already thinking of some new mischief to get up to.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 7, 2026

I think, when I reflect about it, that it was a most wonderful discovery—a very wonderful thing that children so young should make such a discovery and all through our mischief.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Vocabulary lists containing mischief

"Mending Wall," by Robert Frost

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Lincoln Inaugural Address (March 1861)

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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

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