enfant terrible

noun

ˌän-ˌfänt-te-ˈrē-blə How to pronounce enfant terrible (audio)
Definition of enfant terriblenext
as in bohemian
a person who does not conform to generally accepted standards or customs an author who reveled in his role as the enfant terrible of American letters

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of enfant terrible For years, he was known as an enfant terrible; now he’s matured. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 May 2026 The epitome of an enfant terrible, Rimbaud was a rebellious adolescent with a tempestuous personal life (ask fellow poet Paul Verlaine). — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026 The relationship between the face of French basketball for the past decade and the NBA’s new enfant terrible is rooted in a deeper journey. — Jared Weiss, New York Times, 4 May 2026 Sure, Gaultier was nicknamed the enfant terrible of fashion in his early days, so provocation is part of the brand’s vernacular. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 14 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enfant terrible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enfant terrible
  1. maverick
  2. lone ranger
  3. lone wolf
  4. free spirit
Noun
  • This love, combined with egalitarian ideals, has made Hill a bit of a late-blooming maverick.
    — Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2026
  • His maverick persona and armored storm-chasing vehicle, the Dominator 3 — featured on Jay Leno’s Garage — directly inspired the character of Tyler Owens, played by Glen Powell in the 2024 summer blockbuster Twisters.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 23 June 2026
Definition of maverick
Noun
  • The desperate situation usually has an alternative, if only the lone ranger would tolerate his own vulnerability and fallibility.
    — Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2021
  • Kaneland pitcher Emilee Erickson, wearing a protective face mask in Friday’s Class 3A state semifinal, was no lone ranger.
    — Rick Armstrong, Aurora Beacon-News, 9 June 2018
Definition of lone ranger
Noun
  • In that episode, lone wolf Gibbs got a new special friend, an adorable dog.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Unlike solitary hunters such as leopards or tigers, wolves pursue prey that often outweighs them considerably, which means a lone wolf is, in practical terms, an ineffective one.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Definition of lone wolf
Noun
  • Rachel is a free spirit who has moved her kids around every time a relationship goes south, and the film opens with a move to a small town in Massachusetts.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 17 July 2026
  • Expertly interpreted by Jacobson, Tangles is Sarah’s story, a free spirit still held back due to her responsibility as a loving daughter.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 June 2026
Definition of free spirit

Browse Nearby Words

enfants terribles
enfant terrible
enfeeble
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Cite this Entry

“Enfant terrible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enfant%20terrible. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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