troublemaking 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of troublemakingnext
as in naughty

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

troublemaking

2 of 2

noun

as in misbehavior

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 troublemaking
Adjective
In a galaxy far, far away, the troublemaking trio of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa and Han Solo could've looked a lot different. — Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 Peeves, the troublemaking ghost who wreaks havoc on young wizards, will be roaming the halls of Hogwarts when the new adaptation kicks off on Christmas Day. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026 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 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
  1. naughty
  2. misbehavior
  3. misbehaving
  4. misconduct
  5. wily
  6. mischief
  7. crafty
  8. devilment
Adjective
  • People would hang from windows, encouraging you to do naughty things, and my thumb has never been sorer from back-and-forth gestures.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Has Greta eaten or chewed on anything naughty?
    — Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026
Definition of naughty
Noun
  • From tackling parent misbehavior on the sidelines to keeping your athlete healthy to the big business of youth sports, no topic is off limits for Carone and his guests.
    — Parents, Parents, 24 June 2026
  • Now SpaceX too will see any misbehavior in the CEO suite directly affecting performance on Wall Street.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 12 June 2026
Definition of misbehavior
Adjective
  • 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
Definition of misbehaving
Noun
  • The New York City Department of Investigation is the city’s independent watchdog agency, which investigates fraud, corruption, misconduct, municipal malfeasance, city employees, contractors, and individuals who do business with the city.
    — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • During this weekend in Nantucket, Brooke decides to leave her husband, Charlie, amid his workplace misconduct allegations.
    — Max Gao, Variety, 11 July 2026
Definition of misconduct
Adjective
  • The team would soon feature real stars, too, in the likes of KC native Belser and wily midfielder Graham Zusi.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
  • Uso was the wily veteran, a former world heavyweight champion, looking to get back into the title picture.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026
Definition of wily
Noun
  • And though Sonnenshine aged them a bit to allow for more complex storylines, Laura (Alice Halsey) is all curiosity and mischief compared to Mary’s (Hughes) more studious rule-following.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • The daredevil couple, who scaled the building dressed in dark outfits and masks, were each charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal mischief and an additional charge related to the incident.
    — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 4 July 2026
Definition of mischief
Adjective
  • The plot imperative of future Irina surviving to play a significant role in later seasons of For All Mankind gives us so much runway to imagine wild twists and turns for this crafty lass.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 10 July 2026
  • Watch crafty servant Scapin spin outrageous webs of disguise and deception to help a band of young lovers outwit their impossibly miserly fathers.
    — News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
Definition of crafty
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of devilment

Browse Nearby Words

troublemakers
troublemaking
troubles
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Troublemaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/troublemaking. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fulcrum

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All