as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
he takes a puckish delight in teasing her about her love life, or lack thereof
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of puckish
Haugerud’s writing is thoughtful and rife with substantial ideas, but also delights in puckish diversions and shaggy-dog anecdotes — some of which illuminate the themes at hand, while others merely highlight the eccentric perversity of man in general.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2025
This puckish presentation may not be for those who feign at flatus.
—Natasha Gural, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
The clarinettist Matic Kuder, another recent addition to the ranks, enlivened both the symphony and the concerto with limpid, puckish solos.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
The results can be puckish, as when Elwood’s reflection appears in the chrome side of the iron that Hattie is sliding across an ironing board.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for puckish
Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2025
This puckish presentation may not be for those who feign at flatus.
—Natasha Gural, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
The clarinettist Matic Kuder, another recent addition to the ranks, enlivened both the symphony and the concerto with limpid, puckish solos.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
The results can be puckish, as when Elwood’s reflection appears in the chrome side of the iron that Hattie is sliding across an ironing board.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for puckish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puckish
Adjective
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This type of behavior isn't unusual for the mischievous pair.—
Jason D. Greenblatt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Apr. 2025
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And no one can remain beautiful, in the same way, forever, though Kilmer’s mischievous, take-no-prisoners smile hadn’t changed much.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Well, that and 98-mph fastballs and wicked breaking pitches.—
John Romano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2025
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Chances are its uninhibited critique of privilege, political satire, and wicked social commentary would be softened or edited out.—
Viren Naidu,
IndieWire,
2 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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The alternating worlds are meant to be playful, but Toontown especially gets exhausting quickly, with characters mugging, clowning and amplifying every limp punchline.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
8 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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Advertisement Molly, played with impish vivacity and quiet resolve by Michelle Williams, bears little resemblance to the Hollywood archetype of the beautiful young woman dying of cancer.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In person, Wood is funny but sedate, speaking in a deadpan carried along by a prankish undercurrent.—
Ismail Muhammad,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
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Fuchs put a prankish spin on the descending octaves that tootle above the reprise of the symphony’s solemn opening.—
Alex Ross,
The New Yorker,
9 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Puckish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puckish. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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