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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But theatergoers around me couldn’t seem to get enough, no matter how repetitive the naughty humor became.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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His tics are not naughty mischief, but an uncontrollable action.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Some states are taking a different approach to student misbehavior, saying that the answer is to bring in more consequences and give teachers more power to punish disruptive students.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
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Know More This month wasn’t Gallego’s first experience with vague allegations of personal misbehavior.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 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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The committee has established a special investigative subcommittee to examine whether Mills engaged in conduct that could include improper relationships, financial misconduct, or abuse of his official position.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
11 May 2026
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In the months that followed, former students began filing lawsuits alleging abuse and misconduct at the program.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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In Inverted Tree, Man for Hire (2004), for example, the trunk of a wily branched tree bears a piercing gaze.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
7 May 2026
-
The wily Philadelphia 76ers, who might have some real juice after an impressive 106-93 win over Boston to force a Game 7 in their opening-round series.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
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He was charged with with burglary, two counts of criminal mischief, and breach of bail.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2026
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For audiences, the echo chamber that develops in the villas can seem debilitating to a possible reconciliation, but Walberg says that there are invariably a few authentic souls whose support is sincere rather than a tactic to get them into mischief.—
Todd Gilchrist,
IndieWire,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Vargas has been crafty on the base paths, recording five steals on five attempts.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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Feel free to try any creative, crafty endeavor such as jewelry making or air-dry clay building.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 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 13 May. 2026.
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