as in naughty
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as in misbehavior
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of troublemaking
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
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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His tics are not naughty mischief, but an uncontrollable action.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
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Paltrow has been savvy at selling herself as naughty and nice.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Unlike public schools or Cedar Rapids Prep, the city's private schools can turn away a child for poor grades, or a history of misbehavior.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
19 Apr. 2026
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There are many more overt examples of Silicon Valley misbehavior sprinkled through the premiere episode of The Audacity, but the essence of Jonathan Glatzer’s tech-world satire may be in this digital billboard that appears on the side of the road.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
12 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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Public plans often have more restrictions based on misconduct, but the standard for forfeiture typically relies on a criminal conviction, according to experts.—
Anna Liss-Roy The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
27 Apr. 2026
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That swing drew a 10-minute misconduct penalty and an Avs power play to end the stanza.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Apple has had some trouble with that wily new technology, in part because large language models can be unreliable, and Apple’s whole, like, ~thing~ is quality.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
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Bruce struggles with basic parrot tasks because of his missing top beak, and this has led him to develop other wily work-arounds.—
Elizabeth Anne Brown,
Scientific American,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His tics are not naughty mischief, but an uncontrollable action.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
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No one in Florida had been charged with criminal mischief for defacing a traffic control device until the August arrests.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 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 1 May. 2026.
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