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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Ten-inch-tall elves, called Scout Elves, arrive in children's homes ahead of Christmas with a mission to relay children's behavior back to Santa Claus for his naughty and nice list.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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John Quinones and Sara Haines see who’s naughty, who’s nice — and who’s caught in between.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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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
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Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Its investigative arm reviews officer misconduct complaints, and is expected to one day replace the police department’s internal affairs division.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The panel assessed the LAPD’s handling of discipline, misconduct complaints, excessive force by officers and other issues.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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From the pass rush to a wily secondary to one of the most explosive offensive weapons in the game in wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the Rams have had plenty to focus on in the four days in between games.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
17 Dec. 2025
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But Semones is too wily of a musician to let that ride for the entire song.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
Noun
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In this case, the cow’s curiosity (rather than any intent to cause mischief) created a memorable moment for both police and residents alike.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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In April 2018, Johnson was arrested for criminal mischief.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Reduce Food Sources Eliminating entry points should reduce some rodent problems, but mice are crafty and will continue to seek shelter indoors if there are tasty snacks drawing them in.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Make Something New For the crafty type, a large blanket can be upcycled into several things, depending on its condition.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 Jan. 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
Adjective
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Fueled by vengeance and cunning ambition, Ashur rises from betrayal and bloodshed to seize power, gouging out a place for the House of Ashur in a new arena full of violence, desire, and twisted loyalty.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
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The elaborate scheme, masterminded by members of four Mafia families in collusion with celebrity athletes, ensnared unsuspecting victims, bleeding them of over $7 million through cunning deception, prosecutors said in the indictment.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Troublemaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/troublemaking. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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