mischievous

[mis-chuh-vuhs] / ˈmɪs tʃə vəs /

ADJECTIVE

devilish, wicked

Synonyms

STRONGEST

impish malicious naughty playful rude sly

WEAK

arch artful bad bothersome damaging dangerous deleterious destructive detrimental evil exasperating foxy frolicsome harmful hazardous hurtful ill ill-behaved injurious insidious irksome malignant misbehaving perilous pernicious precarious puckish rascal rascally risky sinful spiteful sportive teasing tricky troublesome vexatious vexing vicious wayward

Antonyms

STRONGEST

behaved good kind

WEAK

nice obedient

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.

"Hilary Mantel, from what I've heard about her, was mischievous and she knew what she was doing and she was being provocative," Wood says.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

"Puck is very mischievous in between the fairy world and the mortal world, causing chaos," they said.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

It bursts with insights that mix journalistic acumen with gossip, backed by a score generously seasoned with mischievous violin string plucking.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

News of the death of Eric Dane was met with an outpouring of grief by celebrities, who expressed their deep admiration for his mischievous on-screen charisma and his advocacy efforts during his battle against ALS.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

To that, Garrett almost involuntarily gives a mischievous smile.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Vocabulary lists containing mischievous

List 2

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Walk Two Moons

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"Uprising," Vocabulary from the historical novel

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