mischievousness

Other forms: mischievousnesses

The quality of being playfully naughty is mischievousness. I wouldn't put your sister in charge of the balloons for the party — her mischievousness might result in a water balloon attack later!

A rascally child and a practical joker are both known for their mischievousness. Calling someone on the phone to ask if their refrigerator is running doesn't demonstrate your originality — but it does highlight your mischievousness! Think of it as a tendency to make mischief, which is often slightly funny, frequently annoying, and usually harmless.

Definitions of mischievousness

1. noun

   an attribute of mischievous children
   synonyms: badness, naughtiness

   types:

   prankishness, rascality, roguishness

   the trait of indulging in disreputable pranks

   type of:

   disobedience

   the trait of being unwilling to obey
2. noun

   the trait of behaving like an imp
   synonyms: impishness, puckishness, whimsicality

   type of:

   fun, playfulness

   a disposition to find (or make) causes for amusement
3. noun

   reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
   synonyms: devilment, devilry, deviltry, mischief, mischief-making, rascality, roguery, roguishness, shenanigan

   types:

   blaze, hell

   noisy and unrestrained mischief

   monkey business

   mischievous or deceitful behavior

   hooliganism, malicious mischief, vandalism

   willful wanton and malicious destruction of the property of others

   type of:

   misbehavior, misbehaviour, misdeed

   improper or wicked or immoral behavior