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.

"I have no actual claim to be good at the cheese-roll - I am the one that has the mischievous plan."

From BBC • May 22, 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 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

They didn’t look much alike, the two boys, but something in the pose reminded her of her son, the tilt of the head, the mischievous trace of a smirk at the corners of the lips.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

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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