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.

“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

Yet that mischief won’t save him in November.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

Nat wants to prove she’s a good ghost, not one of the bad ones who cause mischief.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

"It will be suits and cocktail dresses, and you know me, mysterious mischief, so bring your presents, your presence and your humour!"

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

There is something about sudden darkness in a classroom of twenty-four sixth graders that sets off mischief.

From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia

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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