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.

Madeira, the real one, was probably unaware at the time his mischief would create a cult figure whose legacy lives on among early-noughties wannabe managers.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

The mischief offence carries a punishment of up to two years in jail on conviction and a fine, according to the charge sheet.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

Still, Ms. Worsley—the history detective with the fabulous shoes—has always had a bit of mischief about her.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

In the early ’90s, a distinct penchant for mischief and a grittily glamorous New York edge quickly earned Jacobs the moniker of fashion’s bad boy.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

Jefferson had blamed the Federalists for the lion’s share of the party mischief.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

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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