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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The play was naughty stuff in 1925, when the show, starring Tallulah Bankhead, got banned.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
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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
Noun
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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
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The destruction of important files cannot be chalked up to isolated instances of misbehavior or recklessness.—
Amer Matar,
The Dial,
26 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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She was also convicted of first-degree official misconduct, failure to comply with an order from the Secretary of State and violation of duty − all misdemeanor charges.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
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And while not every improper payment reflects criminal misconduct, the magnitude of questionable spending points to deep structural weaknesses in how the program is administered.—
Sally Pipes,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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For most of the day, the wily right-hander was even better than just quality.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 May 2026
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The wily old veteran still has the athleticism needed when plays break down, but his success has hinged more on his reads.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
23 May 2026
Noun
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Triana has four prior arrests on record, with charges including criminal mischief, petty larceny, criminal contempt and assault, cops said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2026
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Agentic commerce can tolerate some amount of errors and mischief if refunds and transaction cancellation paths are clear.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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This turn of events gives the crafty Lili an idea.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
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The assignment fell on Arvada West crafty lefty Cole Eisenreich.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
31 May 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 5 Jun. 2026.
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