
Mischief
Intent Matters
Mischief implies intentional action, not accidental harm or trouble.
He replaced her shampoo with paint, clearly intending mischief.
Playful Tone
Sometimes 'mischief' indicates playful behavior, not meant to be truly harmful.
The kittens' mischief involved stealing socks from the laundry hamper.
Not Always Serious
'Mischief' often refers to minor harm, so it's not usually used for serious offenses.
The teenagers' mischief caused the neighbors some annoyance but nothing serious.