as in naughty
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as in misbehavior
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of troublemaking
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
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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A little naughty, a little nice, kitten heels offer nine-to-five wear in polished yet practical form.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
22 Jan. 2026
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More like raw, bold, and sometimes a little naughty.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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She was accused of misbehavior that included mismanaging the budget, failing to carry out personnel instructions and ordering a subordinate to spy by Palmer’s legally privileged email correspondence.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
6 Feb. 2026
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For those who remember having to stay after school and write the same sentence over and over on a chalkboard as punishment for misbehavior, there are reminders in the restrooms.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 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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Sappenfield was permanently banned by the United States Center for SafeSport in May 2024 for physical and emotional misconduct, retaliation, abuse of process, and failure to report a potential SafeSport violation.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
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Sought book on prosecutorial misconduct In the bulk of his conversations, Nathan detailed the misery of jail life.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Chief among the latter is his region’s unnamed UNO (Upazila Nirbahi Officer), a wily mid-level bureaucrat who presents herself as Jahir’s direct line to the big guns, and persistently pulls rank on him with a disarming megawatt smile.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
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Thinking about the college football scouting process, images conjure up of wily old coaches traveling across the country to get cozy with potential recruits, eating the family’s best spread for dinner while trying to sell their program.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The heady sensuality of Aїnouz’s best films (Invisible Life, Madame Satã) is somewhat smothered by the cold cerebral mischief of Filippou’s writing.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
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And what good mischief doesn't begin with a little sinful bite?—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Yet the images and videos put a heightened focus on the house’s accessories, including sculptural S-heel mules evolving the emblematic F-heel of the archives; stiletto sandals incorporating the signature Vara shoe bow or new, crafty iterations of the Hug bag.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
16 Feb. 2026
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Those regular salon visits surely add up, so there's nothing like getting crafty to take some pressure off your wallet.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
16 Feb. 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 20 Feb. 2026.
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