IMPISHNESS Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

impishness

noun

as in playfulness

a natural disposition for playful behavior her irrepressible impishness means that no one is ever safe from her practical jokes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in mischief

playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm the boys' impishness was easy to forgive, since it caused no real harm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impishness

Noun

Mazzoli’s score has its moments of playfulness, starting with the prologue in which the chorus members blow into kazoos.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Burnt out and bored, people started reincorporating playfulness into their lives with outfit updates and bedazzled everything.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of playfulness

Noun

Instead, Audi has built something that works remarkably well as everyday transportation while keeping a substantial reserve of mischievousness for those moments when an empty stretch of road appears.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026
The tension latent in Jobim and Regina’s working relationship gives their rendition a mischievousness that’s sorely missed in the monotony of Art Garfunkel’s version, or the twee precision of Susannah McCorkle’s.

— Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 13 June 2026

Definition of mischievousness

Noun

Mustard and vinegar provide the devilment for a flavorful bite, particularly when topped with a scattering of scallions and paprika.

— SAVEUR Editors, Saveur, 5 Feb. 2025
But even if truffles are beyond your pay grade, there is plenty of enjoyment to be had in the sheer devilment portrayed in this informative and appetizing book.

— Eugenia Bone, WSJ, 10 July 2019

Definition of devilment

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

impish

impishness

implacability

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Impishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impishness. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of impishness

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes