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mischievousness

mischievousness

1 4.6
Playful actions that cause small harmless trouble for fun
  • noun
  • /ˈmɪs.tʃə.vəs.nəs/
translation icon : traviesura
  • "I think so too," Melissa smiled slowly, then instantly the mischievousness returned.

Examples

  • "We'll make time," she said, a ripple of mischievousness in her voice.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • As I have often told my students, there is almost a direct correlation between the mischievousness of a legal opinion and its length.

    Blog text (21)
  • "Well, gentlemen, and you, too, Inspector Field," he said, his face convulsed with mischievousness, "success to the crack."

    Fiction book (1990)
  • It was a smile, one full of all the mischievousness of his sister, but something else too: a terrible darkness that seemed somehow sinister.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • He had a flop of long brown hair, steel-rim glasses, and clear blue eyes with a glint of mischievousness, or perhaps impudence.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The child's mischievousness brought laughter and joy to the entire family.

  • His mischievousness often led to playful pranks that amused his friends.

  • Her mischievousness was evident in the way she playfully teased her classmates.

Synonyms

mischief
vsmischievousness
34 2.7

Naughty actions often done by children that annoy people or cause small harm

stresses light-hearted playfulness rather than potential recklessness or harm
playfulness
vsmischievousness
8 2.5

Being ready to play and have fun

adds a troublemaking edge to that fun, making it naughty at times
naughtiness
vsmischievousness
2 3.2

Behaviour that breaks rules and teases others, often by children

applies to playful trouble across ages, not only childlike behaviour
goofiness
vsmischievousness
  • Informal
2 3.2

A way of acting that is silly, playful, and often makes people laugh

leans more to causing light trouble or naughtiness rather than mere silliness
hell-raising
vsmischievousness
  • Informal
2 8.4

Noisy, wild actions that cause trouble or excitement

is milder, focusing on playful naughtiness rather than rowdy trouble
badness
vsmischievousness
1 2.5

The quality of being naughty or misbehaving

is the playful, light troublemaking sense rather than general bad behaviour
mischief-making
vsmischievousness
1 6.0

The act of causing trouble or harm to others on purpose

is more about playful spirit than deliberate harmful intent
devilment
vsmischievousness
  • Archaic
1 7.9

Playful mischief that teases or annoys other people

is lighter and more naughty rather than openly intended to annoy
friskiness
vsmischievousness
1 3.5

A lively, playful mood that makes people move happily

includes playful trouble but is more about spirited energy than naughtiness
rascality
vsmischievousness
  • Archaic
1 8.1

Playful or dishonest behavior that tricks people

is broader, covering playful trouble without the rascal character
impishness
vsmischievousness
1 6.7

A playful, slightly naughty act like a small joke or trick

focuses on the playful trouble side rather than joking alone
roguery
vsmischievousness
  • Archaic
1 8.8

Playful but sometimes dishonest behavior that annoys people

leans more to light-hearted playful trouble without strong dishonesty
cheekiness
vsmischievousness
  • Informal
1 5.8

A bold, slightly rude way of speaking or acting that is playful and shows little respect

is playful trouble but with less emphasis on rudeness or boldness
rascaldom
vsmischievousness
  • Archaic
9.5

The act of behaving in a naughty, playful way

is the general quality of playful trouble, not tied to a rascal identity
puckishness
vsmischievousness
8.8

A playful, teasing way of behaving that surprises people

is the wider quality of causing playful trouble, not only personality
prankishness
vsmischievousness
8.4

A liking for doing playful, slightly naughty tricks on other people

covers playful trouble generally rather than only planned prank acts
harmless devilment
vsmischievousness
7.0

Small playful acts that do no real harm

is similar but can include slightly naughtier acts that may annoy
roguishness
vsmischievousness
7.5

A playful habit of doing mischief or telling small lies that amuses people

is the plain quality of causing trouble without the charming deceit element
antics
vsmischievousness
3.1

Funny or silly actions that try to make people laugh

centres on causing playful trouble rather than only making people laugh

Antonyms

53 2.7

A calm and honest way of speaking or acting that shows you mean what you say

How Mischievous

naughtiness
2 3.2
mischievousness
1 4.6
impishness
1 6.7
playfulness
8 2.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

mischievousness = mischievous (transparent) = mischief + ous + ness

Formed by adding the productive noun-forming suffix '-ness' to the familiar adjective 'mischievous', yielding the quality or state.

Etymology

Mischievousness comes from mischief, which once meant a 'bad happening', and the start mis- shows 'wrong' or 'bad', like in mistake. So mischievousness is the quality of liking playful, slightly naughty trouble.