troublemaker

1 of 2

noun (1)

trou·​ble·​mak·​er ˈtrə-bəl-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce troublemaker (audio)
Synonyms of troublemakernext
: a person who consciously or unconsciously causes trouble
troublemaking
ˈtrə-bəl-ˌmā-kiŋ How to pronounce troublemaker (audio)
adjective or noun

troublemaking

2 of 2

noun (2)

: the behavior of a troublemaker

Examples of troublemaker in a Sentence

Noun (1) He had the reputation of being a troublemaker in high school.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Make room, Reacher — there's another troublemaker (and solver) on the scene looking to take down some big bads. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026 Retaliation can include being assigned to a station far from home, passed up for promotions or labeled a troublemaker. — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026 Jodie Whittaker, who portrays Daniel's troublemaker sister Lizzy, has a family of her own off-screen. — Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026 Sirianni hesitates for a moment, like the school troublemaker on the verge of another unpleasant trip to the principal’s office. — Michael Silver, New York Times, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for troublemaker

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of troublemaker was circa 1914

Rhymes for troublemaker

See All Rhymes for troublemaker

Browse Nearby Words

trouble light
troublemaker
troublemaking
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Troublemaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/troublemaker. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

troublemaker

noun
trou·​ble·​mak·​er ˈtrəb-əl-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce troublemaker (audio)
: a person who causes problems or disagreements

More from Merriam-Webster on troublemaker

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for troublemaker

Nglish: Translation of troublemaker for Spanish Speakers

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