as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
the gang of impish children ran into the street, utterly oblivious to the traffic
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Recent Examples of impish
Whenever O’Brien was onstage, balancing impish humor with a palpable love for movies and compassion for an industry where so many recently lost so much to the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles, the ceremony felt light and loose.
—
Judy Berman, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
These glassy encasements elevated each itty-bitty snapshot of kitschy urban ephemera (a taxi cab, a bodega coffee cup, a slice of pizza, a smiley-face plastic shopping bag) to a surprising elegance—undercut with impish humor.
—Marina Harss, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025
At least Elvis Costello’s legendary false start from ’78 was referenced, albeit by an impish Eddie Vedder, not Costello himself.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 15 Feb. 2025
Her glamorous sound, fiery technique and sharp musicality, served up with impish charm and slinky couture, reliably cause runs on the box office.
—Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impish
Judy Berman, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
These glassy encasements elevated each itty-bitty snapshot of kitschy urban ephemera (a taxi cab, a bodega coffee cup, a slice of pizza, a smiley-face plastic shopping bag) to a surprising elegance—undercut with impish humor.
—Marina Harss, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025
At least Elvis Costello’s legendary false start from ’78 was referenced, albeit by an impish Eddie Vedder, not Costello himself.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 15 Feb. 2025
Her glamorous sound, fiery technique and sharp musicality, served up with impish charm and slinky couture, reliably cause runs on the box office.
—Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impish
Adjective
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This mischievous animal has an impressive shoe collection.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
17 July 2025
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The sweet little girl and her mischievous blue alien finally give Hollywood its first billion-dollar movie of 2025, with Lilo & Stitch the only studio film to reach the milestone this year.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
17 July 2025
Adjective
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Similarly, a text grappling with a wicked problem shouldn’t stay limited by the narrow confines of literary genre, instead blending journalism, memoir, fiction, and narrative nonfiction.—
Melody Glenn
July 23,
Literary Hub,
23 July 2025
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Stinging and 'wicked' Asian needle ants are spreading across the US Are invasive tawny crazy ants in Ohio?—
Kim Luciani,
The Enquirer,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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As the twins of the zodiac, Gemini parents are playful, adaptable, and quick on their feet.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
15 July 2025
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White, who goes by Baby J, was described by cousin Raven Jackson as sweet, playful and charismatic.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
13 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impish. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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