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.

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

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

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

These are mischievous fairies of Welsh folklore that resemble humans but possess magical qualities.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

Witty and mischievous, a punster and provocateur, Man Ray excelled as a photographer, filmmaker and object-maker.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025

It isn’t until morning that I find her slipper on the floor near my bed—left there not accidentally, not carelessly, but with mischievous purpose.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal 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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