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
The protesters were accused of one count each of criminal mischief in the first degree, criminal trespass in the first degree and breach of Peace, according to a news release from the Cromwell Police Department.
—Michelle Watson, CNN, 23 June 2024
James Carlson, facing separate charges of arson and criminal mischief for burning an Israeli flag and breaking an NYPD camera, had his case adjourned to July 25.
—Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 20 June 2024
Scheffler had been arrested on charges of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from officers directing traffic.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2024
He was arrested on charges of first-degree criminal mischief, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, sixth-degree larceny, first-degree criminal trover and interfering with an officer.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for mischief 
Michelle Watson, CNN, 23 June 2024
James Carlson, facing separate charges of arson and criminal mischief for burning an Israeli flag and breaking an NYPD camera, had his case adjourned to July 25.
—Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 20 June 2024
Scheffler had been arrested on charges of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from officers directing traffic.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2024
He was arrested on charges of first-degree criminal mischief, conspiracy to commit larceny of a motor vehicle, sixth-degree larceny, first-degree criminal trover and interfering with an officer.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for mischief
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mischief.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near mischief
Cite this Entry
“Mischief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mischief. Accessed 27 Jun. 2024.
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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