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: inciter, fomenter, instigator, rabble-rouser

troublemaker

/ ˈtrʌbəlˌmeɪkə /

noun

1. a person who makes trouble, esp between people

Derived Forms

• ˈtroubleˌmaking, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

• trouble·making noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of troublemaker¹

First recorded in 1910–15; trouble + maker

Example Sentences

Months later, he purged the state party of troublemakers ahead of what would be his final re-election bid in 2016.

From Time

The union reminded flight attendants that the best solution is to keep potential troublemakers off planes.

From Washington Post

If other leaders are tone-policing you, and you’re too loud, you’re like a troublemaker—we all know that’s what happens to people like me—then if someone defends you, they’re obviously going to also be a problem for the other leaders.

From MIT Technology Review

Last year, pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong used the occasion to don Halloween-themed masks at a time the city’s government had banned face coverings to make it easier to identify troublemakers.

From Ozy

I am happy to report that our listenership includes plenty of troublemakers as well as smoothers-over.

From Freakonomics

Trailblazing comedian and troublemaker Joan Rivers died on Thursday at the age of 81.

From The Daily Beast

The Nasty Gal queen went from troublemaker to CEO of a million-dollar company in just a few years.

From The Daily Beast

“Broken” is the first song the Canadian troublemaker unleashed.

From The Daily Beast

In later years, Mandela would translate it with mingled pride and self-deprecating humor as “troublemaker.”

From The Daily Beast

Ted Cruz is known as a right-wing troublemaker, but he is tame compared to his dad.

From The Daily Beast

We don't know whether you're working for him or not, but you're a troublemaker.

From Project Gutenberg

Brownie was a troublemaker, Brownie talked too much, Brownie philosophized in a world that ridiculed philosophy.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet the bloody shirt lingered long as a troublemaker, and was invoked by both parties.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, I can hardly be called a troublemaker, and you had a pretty peaceful time with me.

From Project Gutenberg

In such cases, Investigations had stepped in and the Martian or Earthling troublemaker had been sent to the rare-earth mines.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• agitator