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.

I loved watching the fae creatures of the Fantastikals frolic around, getting into mischief.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

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

Yet that mischief won’t save him in November.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

She kept thinking of Mia’s smile that day in the kitchen, the capability she saw there to delight in mischief, in breaking the rules.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

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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