as in naughty
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as in misbehavior
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of troublemaking
Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
There’s an inherent troublemaking nature to him that can’t be repressed by the big Disney musical.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026
Scottish actor John Hannah was Evelyn’s troublemaking brother Jonathan.
—Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
Over the years, Greg has gotten into fights with his best friend Rowley and troublemaking brother Rodrick, he’s gone to summer camp and saved his school, even tried his hand (disastrously) at sports.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Joined by Mayor Mamdani, friends and family on Thursday laid to rest an East Village deli worker who police said was shot and killed during a dispute with a troublemaking former customer.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
There’s an inherent troublemaking nature to him that can’t be repressed by the big Disney musical.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026
Scottish actor John Hannah was Evelyn’s troublemaking brother Jonathan.
—Andrew Walsh, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025
Over the years, Greg has gotten into fights with his best friend Rowley and troublemaking brother Rodrick, he’s gone to summer camp and saved his school, even tried his hand (disastrously) at sports.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for troublemaking
Adjective
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Has Greta eaten or chewed on anything naughty?—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
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The play was naughty stuff in 1925, when the show, starring Tallulah Bankhead, got banned.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Now SpaceX too will see any misbehavior in the CEO suite directly affecting performance on Wall Street.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
12 June 2026
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Merchants in fine suits rode in carriages or on sedan chairs while enslaved people lugging carts and crates wore dirty, threadbare clothing and could be publicly whipped or burned to death for misbehavior.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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Why must members of the public be disrespected by unruly, misbehaving, noisy children, who are then defended by adults who should know better?—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
1 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Newton reportedly stole a computer, and there were allegations of academic misconduct.—
Mac Engel
June 15,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
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Political expediency, like political misconduct, is not limited to any one party.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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The wily right-hander held up the end of his bargain, but the Royals’ offense failed to support him.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
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Expect classics from the American songbook, wily new interpretations of contemporary pop songs, Broadway standards and lots of sweet between-song patter.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026
Noun
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His girlfriend was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence and petty criminal mischief.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
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Cooper and his girlfriend were both arrested on domestic violence charges last Friday, with both being held on suspicion of two counts of domestic violence and one count of criminal mischief, according to Douglas County jail records.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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Brunson, the crafty undersized guard, leveraged that pressure by drawing two shooting fouls in as many possessions on three-point attempts.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
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Norway is the favorite, and should be, but Japan is crafty and tactical.—
David Troy OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
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.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
5 Feb. 2025
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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.—
Eugenia Bone,
WSJ,
10 July 2019
Cite this Entry
“Troublemaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/troublemaking. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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