1
as in mischief
playful, reckless behavior that is not intended to cause serious harm
tossing lighted firecrackers around is not the kind of harmless waggery that it might seem
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in joke
something said or done to cause laughter
Will Rogers' homespun waggeries struck a chord with audiences during the Great Depression
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in prank
a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke
her innocent little waggeries usually involved whoopee cushions or fake snakes in cans
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Recent Examples of waggery
To ask you to step into the parlor was Maggie’s favorite waggery, the divisions of her cabin being purely imaginary.
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Gertrude A. Zerr, Harper's magazine, 22 July 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waggery
Noun
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Mauser is an ambitious and charismatic tennis-table player in the 1950s who gets into mischief in New York City and abroad in order to win a world ping-pong championship.—
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With muddy swims in the water tower, passing trains as social hubs, and plenty of family mischief, the show celebrated simple living with a great sense of humor.—
Noun
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This life is not supposed to be a bad joke.—
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Jordan’s mom found that out early when host Nikki Glaser made a lusty joke about her son, then noticed Donna in the room and hastily fake apologized.—
Noun
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Memory’s a little fuzzy), a group of Acalanes High School students decided the bell would make a perfect senior prank.—
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Teens can move from online pranks to serious federal crimes without realizing where the legal line lies.—
Noun
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It was indicated by Michael Serna, executive creative director with Disney Live Entertainment, that such a level of playfulness would continue.—
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That spirit of playfulness extends beyond the story itself and into the book’s visual world.—
Noun
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The laughs came thanks to some ace-level hosts.—
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The cops have a good laugh with her.—
Noun
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This dish will do the trick with crispy chicken and fresh zucchini tossed in a tender linguine with a robust lemon flavor.—
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But even an invitation to hang out again, perhaps paired with a gift card to a local lunch spot, could do the trick.—
Noun
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Mustard and vinegar provide the devilment for a flavorful bite, particularly when topped with a scattering of scallions and paprika.—
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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.—
Noun
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Cole follows up with a joking request to appear on an interlude on the forthcoming project, then asks whether West could send him a care package of clothes — which West agrees to — before exiting the stage.—
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Our poll’s options include a joking reference to Dan Marino.—
Cite this Entry
“Waggery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggery. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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