mischief

mis·chief

noun \ˈmis-chəf, ˈmish-\

Definition of MISCHIEF

1

: a specific injury or damage attributed to a particular agent

2

: a cause or source of harm, evil, or irritation; especially : a person who causes mischief

3

a : action that annoys or irritates b : the quality or state of being mischievous : mischievousness <had mischief in his eyes>

Examples of MISCHIEF

1. It's hard to keep him out of mischief.
2. <the children claimed that setting off a firecracker was harmless mischief, but they got a lecture anyway>

Origin of MISCHIEF

Middle English meschief, from Anglo-French, misfortune, hardship, from Old French meschever to come out badly, mes- + chief head, end — more at chief

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to MISCHIEF

Synonyms: devilishness, devilment, devilry (or deviltry), diablerie, espièglerie, hob, impishness, knavery, mischievousness, rascality, roguery, roguishness, shenanigan(s), waggery, waggishness, wickedness

Antonyms: earnestness, soberness, sobersidedness

Related Words: diabolicalness, misbehavior, misconduct, naughtiness, troublemaking; buffoonery, friskiness, playfulness, sportiveness; chicanery, trickery; goings-on, hanky-panky, high jinks (also hijinks), monkey business, monkeying, monkeyshine(s), skylarking, tomfoolery; horseplay, roughhousing; antic, caper, dido, practical joke, trick; aggravation, annoyance, exasperation, irritation

Near Antonyms: gravitas, gravity, seriousness, solemnity, solemnness

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