troublemaker

[truhb-uhl-mey-ker]

noun

1. a person who causes difficulties, distress, worry, etc., for others, especially one who does so habitually as a matter of malice.

   Synonyms: rabble-rouser, inciter, fomenter, instigator

troublemaker

/ ˈtrʌbəlˌmeɪkə /

noun

1. a person who makes trouble, esp between people

Other Word Forms

• troublemaking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of troublemaker¹

First recorded in 1910–15; trouble + maker

Example Sentences

Araceli’s mother said that workers are afraid to complain about heat or other working conditions because they don’t want to be singled out as troublemakers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Furry little troublemakers. This one is no exception. He tends to cause chaos wherever he goes.”

Read more on Literature

With the bored indifference that cats exhibit even when they are doing as they have been told, the feline troublemaker moseyed over to Cassiopeia and allowed herself to be picked up.

Read more on Literature

"The big unanswered question now is which strains are the healers, and which are the troublemakers."

Read more on Science Daily

He also had a team of security guards in a big circle around Cleo to prevent troublemakers like me from disrupting things.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• agitator