1
as in wicked
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
the children had been so mischievous that we had to pay the babysitter extra and then clean up the mess
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in naughty
engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior
punished for their mischievous tricks on the neighbors
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dangerous
causing or capable of causing harm
mischievous gossip that ruined a good teacher's reputation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mischievous
Tall and lean, with bright eyes and a mischievous grin that recalled Peter O’Toole in one of his friskier moods, DePlume switched positions to lie on his back on the mat, beneath a partner.
—
Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Like why an internet-famous cat named Monkey has such a mischievous little smile.
—Manuela López Restrepo, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
The mischievous dog appeared to have chewed items that she wasn't supposed to, leaving a mess strewn all over the floor.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
However dated that now sounds, the pair were photographed time and again in all their stylish glory, and more often than not, smiling or laughing — with that indescribable, and sometimes mischievous, verve.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischievous
Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Like why an internet-famous cat named Monkey has such a mischievous little smile.
—Manuela López Restrepo, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
The mischievous dog appeared to have chewed items that she wasn't supposed to, leaving a mess strewn all over the floor.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
However dated that now sounds, the pair were photographed time and again in all their stylish glory, and more often than not, smiling or laughing — with that indescribable, and sometimes mischievous, verve.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischievous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischievous
Adjective
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Based on the famed Brothers Grimm tale, the story follows a princess who is rescued by seven dwarf miners who make Snow White part of their household after she’s exiled into a dangerous forest by her wicked stepmother.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2025
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The offence O’Reilly’s draft day scouting reports suggested the Oilers chose a middle-six centre (second or third line) with wicked checking ability and enough offence to project into a feature role if everything worked out.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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They are seen flinging a pizza box into their bucolic yard, smearing their faces with paint, raising their middle fingers, and saying naughty words.—
Peter Tonguette,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Mar. 2025
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Listen to this article There’s nice Torrey Pines and naughty Torrey Pines.—
Bryce Miller,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Prioritising one competition in favour of another is a dangerous game to play in any case when the stakes are so high.—
Mark Critchley,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
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The most immediate context for this comment is presumably both the backlash to Hogwarts Legacy and the ongoing backlash over Rowling’s views writ large regarding trans women being dangerous predators.—
Aja Romano,
Vox,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Pearl Breed: Pit terrier mix Age: 2 years old Pearl is a cuddly, goofy, playful pup looking for her forever home.—
Trish Stinger,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
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This delightfully playful scent emulates the popstar’s flirty energy courtesy of a dazzling blend of vine-ripe cherries spiked with plum nectar, that’s then deepened with dark chocolate, patchouli, and vanilla orchid.—
Mary Honkus,
Glamour,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That means more time for Rojas, who has shown more bad than good to begin this season.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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For electricity generation, water security, or for financial returns, dams are a bad investment.—
Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Shiny and minty, these balms provide a gloss-like effect while protecting your lips from the sun’s harmful rays.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2025
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The debate over the law centers on balancing accountability for harmful content with the risks of censorship and stifled innovation.—
Daryl Lim,
The Conversation,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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These glassy encasements elevated each itty-bitty snapshot of kitschy urban ephemera (a taxi cab, a bodega coffee cup, a slice of pizza, a smiley-face plastic shopping bag) to a surprising elegance—undercut with impish humor.—
Marina Harss,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2025
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At least Elvis Costello’s legendary false start from ’78 was referenced, albeit by an impish Eddie Vedder, not Costello himself.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In the study, the researchers measured patients’ impulse control behavior disorders, excessive daytime sleepiness, blood pressure changes and weight changes, and found that the adverse effects linked to tavapadon were no different from those who received a placebo.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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So far, Lilly said the adverse effects of its new pill are consistent with GLP-1s, a class of medications primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Video
'Mispronunciations' That May Be Fine
'Mischievous,' 'nuclear,' and other words to pronounce with caution.
Cite this Entry
“Mischievous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischievous. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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