mischief

Small problems caused for fun, or the wish to cause them.

• The puppy is always getting into mischief.
• Her smile was full of mischief.
• The children caused some mischief during lunch.

How to use it: get into mischief (The children got into mischief while we were outside.)

Similar words: naughtiness, trouble

Common phrases: cause mischief, get into mischief, full of mischief, harmless mischief

An action done for fun that causes a small problem or annoys someone.

• Who was responsible for this mischief?
• Hiding my hat was a piece of harmless mischief.
• Their latest mischief involved filling his shoes with paper.

Similar words: prank, trick

Common phrases: little mischief, harmless mischief, piece of mischief

The crime of deliberately damaging someone else’s property.

• Police arrested him for criminal mischief.
• The mischief charge concerned damage to a parked car.
• She pleaded guilty to criminal mischief.

Similar words: vandalism

Common phrases: criminal mischief, charged with mischief