Crossword Genius

Mischief-maker is simply without cunning (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

imp

'mischief-maker' is the definition.
(mischievous creature)

'simply without cunning' is the wordplay.
'without' is a deletion indicator.
'cunning' becomes 'sly' (synonyms).
'simply' with 'sly' removed is 'IMP'.

'is' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for imp that I've seen before include "Rascal" , "Mischievous creature" , "Mischievous fairy No.1" , "pickle" , "Mischievous monkey" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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