mischief

[mis-chif]

noun

1. conduct or activity that playfully causes petty annoyance.

2. a tendency or disposition to tease, vex, or annoy.

3. a vexatious or annoying action.

4. harm or trouble, especially as a result of an agent or cause.

   Synonyms: hurt

5. an injury or evil caused by a person or other agent or cause.

6. a cause or source of harm, evil, or annoyance.

7. the devil.

mischief

/ ˈmɪstʃɪf /

noun

1. wayward but not malicious behaviour, usually of children, that causes trouble, irritation, etc

2. a playful inclination to behave in this way or to tease or disturb

3. injury or harm caused by a person or thing

4. a person, esp a child, who is mischievous

5. a source of trouble, difficulty, etc

   floods are a great mischief to the farmer

Word History and Origins

Origin of mischief¹

1250–1300; Middle English meschef < Old French, noun derivative of meschever to end badly, come to grief. See mis- ¹, achieve

Word History and Origins

Origin of mischief¹

C13: from Old French meschief disaster, from meschever to meet with calamity; from mes- _mis- ¹ + chever to reach an end, from chef end, _chief

Idioms and Phrases

see make mischief.

Synonym Study

See damage.

Example Sentences

Denning volunteers with East Pasadena Community Defense Corner, a group that runs patrols for ICE activity in the area, and hoped that Saturday’s demonstration would “create a little mischief” and increase awareness.

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All traces of humor and mischief have evaporated from her eyes, revealing the same intense look that Ma must have inherited.

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To put a temporary spell on a bakehouse would be well within her capacity for mischief.

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“What were you up to, sir? How did you come to be at the séance, and what mischief did you hope to accomplish there?”

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They were, however, prone to mischief, especially when in high spirits.

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Related Words

• catastrophe 
• evil 
• misconduct 
• playfulness www.thesaurus.com
• prank 
• sabotage 
• vandalism 
• wrongdoing