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
-
The play was naughty stuff in 1925, when the show, starring Tallulah Bankhead, got banned.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
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
Noun
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But her implication isn’t wrong; had Joe Biden won in 2024, all of the work Democrats did defending their misbehavior would have been worth it.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
3 June 2026
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Many feel pressure to be tough on misbehavior, said Anita Wadhwa, a former teacher who now runs a nonprofit in Houston focused on alternative approaches to school discipline.—
Clare Amari,
New York Times,
27 May 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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No misconduct was issued to inmates during the incident in question, and no inmate faced discipline for refusing the assignment, the agency added.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
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Even without independent investigative authority, the commission has spent the past few years reviewing a backlog of internal affairs cases, commissioning an outside audit of police misconduct investigations and weighing in on department policies.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 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
-
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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Court records show Varley was ultimately charged with criminal mischief and two counts of battery.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 June 2026
-
The magic and mischief of Maradona The quality of Diego Maradona’s overall performance at the 1986 World Cup remains without parallel in the competition’s history.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Adjective
-
Turang has been crafty on the base paths, recording 11 steals on 13 attempts.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
Next, the recipe gets a bit crafty in the best way.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
2 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 14 Jun. 2026.
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