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
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
Roberts, who often looked to me like an English schoolboy—rumpled shirt, rep tie—had worked with Tina to transform the British magazine Tatler from a staid society rag into a place of mischief.
—Hilton Als, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
Kia has been charged with third-degree arson, second-degree criminal mischief and animal torture, police said.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 29 May 2025
The pair were charged with grand theft, with Prudhomme also charged with criminal mischief.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025
Savickas, who was not a lawyer but enjoyed creating mischief, suggested, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, that legislators make laws and should be smart enough to use them professionally.
—Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
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Hilton Als, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
Kia has been charged with third-degree arson, second-degree criminal mischief and animal torture, police said.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 29 May 2025
The pair were charged with grand theft, with Prudhomme also charged with criminal mischief.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025
Savickas, who was not a lawyer but enjoyed creating mischief, suggested, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, that legislators make laws and should be smart enough to use them professionally.
—Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mischief
Cite this Entry
“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mischief. Accessed 6 Jun. 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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