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troublemaker

American  
[truhb-uhl-mey-ker] / ˈtrʌb əlˌmeɪ kər /

noun

  • troublemakers
    plural
  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 British  
/ ˈtrʌbəlˌmeɪkə /

noun

  1. a person who makes trouble, esp between people

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

Etymology

Origin of troublemaker

First recorded in 1910–15; trouble + maker

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Even as he drew attention as a troublemaker among some of his bosses, according to people who worked with him, he grew close to the industry’s top players.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 26, 2026

As Lisa, the dedicated troublemaker, King Princess exudes a snarling antagonism toward just about anyone and anything.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 5, 2026

"I was a bit of a troublemaker," she says.

From BBC May 15, 2026

Sharp’s strategy reminds me of a prediction Charley Richardson, a very good troublemaker who co-founded Military Families Speak Out, made to me long ago.

From Salon Sep. 30, 2025

“A troublemaker? Then what be you, Mr. Marsden? What be you, ey?”

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson

"We found that tubulin can drive Tau and alpha synuclein troublemakers down a healthy path."

From Science Daily Jun. 21, 2026

Some properties assign security guards to ask young shoppers to show identification at the entrance, while others rely on specially trained staff to selectively kick out troublemakers.

From The Wall Street Journal May 13, 2026

Local media coverage of the demonstrations has varied, with some outlets focusing on economic difficulties, and others on incidents caused by "troublemakers".

From Barron's Jan. 1, 2026

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.

From Los Angeles Times Nov. 20, 2025

That was the voice he heard now: the voice of all the bullies and troublemakers and wise guys in the world.

From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier

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