1
: a specific injury or damage attributed to a particular agent
the polished floor … often causes mischiefs—bruises, sprains, dislocations—
Herbert Spencer
Herbert Spencer2
: a cause or source of harm, evil, or irritation
especially
: a person who causes mischief
He's a real mischief to his family.
3
a
: action that annoys or irritates
Halloween mischiefs
b
: the quality or state of being mischievous : mischievousness
had mischief in his eyes
Synonyms
Examples of mischief in a Sentence
It's hard to keep him out of mischief.
the children claimed that setting off a firecracker was harmless mischief, but they got a lecture anyway
Recent Examples on the Web
He was originally suspected of two counts of arson, four counts of possession of a device, four counts of manufacturing a device and one count of mischief, according to Oregon records.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025
He was charged with criminal mischief and harassment, both misdemeanors that do not qualify for immediate jail time.
—Michael Wilson, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Jackman fills his grumpy clawed icon with rage, guilt and snark, plus a bit of mischief, and is an f-bombing joy to behold.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
Tangent After a brawl backstage during a UFC fight in 2018, McGregor was charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief.
—Ty Roush, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for mischief 
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Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025
He was charged with criminal mischief and harassment, both misdemeanors that do not qualify for immediate jail time.
—Michael Wilson, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Jackman fills his grumpy clawed icon with rage, guilt and snark, plus a bit of mischief, and is an f-bombing joy to behold.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025
Tangent After a brawl backstage during a UFC fight in 2018, McGregor was charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief.
—Ty Roush, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for mischief
Dictionary Entries Near mischief
Cite this Entry
“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mischief. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mischief
noun
mis·chief
ˈmis-chəf 
ˈmish-
1
2
: a person or animal who causes mischief
3
: mischievous conduct or quality
a child gets into mischief
had mischief in their eyes
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