troublemaker

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "troublemaker" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who causes problems or disruptions, often in a playful or mischievous way. Example: "The teacher warned the students that if they continued to act like troublemakers, they would face consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And if they think you're a troublemaker, the black line goes through your name, and you don't get a contract.

The Guardian - Sport

There is a pattern emerging here: Carlyle, a lapsed socialist (his spirit, he has said, all but broken by the 1992 Tory victory), evidently likes his geniuses to come in different shades of troublemaker.

The Guardian - Film

Although branding Giggs as "thug rap" just media-boxes him in as stereotypical troublemaker aggressively glamorising violence, pragmatic Giggs pleads guilty.

The Guardian - Music

Related: My 49 hours in a Baltimore cell – for being a reporter Shabazz has been criticized by many in Baltimore as an "interloper" and "troublemaker".

The Guardian

We desperately fought and died against systems in which the state listened to every telephone conversation and kept a list of everybody every troublemaker knew.

The Guardian - Tech

That honour, instead, went to John Wycliffe, a 14th-century theologian, scholar and clerical troublemaker who translated the Bible into English in the 1380s, and argued for much of his life against the power and wealth of the pope – a somewhat edgy pastime that led to his bones being dug up and burned after his death, before being chucked into a river in Leicestershire.

The Guardian

I have never met a more goody-goody troublemaker, I say.

The Guardian

"When the whole debate started there was clearly a strong opinion that the UK would be an affordable loss and that the troublemaker may go if the troublemaker wants to do so.

The Guardian

John Githongo is an irritant, a troublemaker – in fact, every corrupt dictator's worst nightmare.

The Guardian

And Lady Warsi was hardly a prominent troublemaker.

The Economist

In response, China's ambassador to the African Union called Mr Abe the biggest "troublemaker" in Asia and brandished photographs of Japanese wartime atrocities.China is sensitive to the charge that its oft-repeated mantra of non-interference in other countries' affairs is a cover for unstinting support for any thug who happens to be in power at the moment.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "troublemaker", consider the specific context and the nature of the trouble being caused to ensure it accurately reflects the person's actions or intentions. Is the person playful, malicious, or simply disruptive?

Common error

While "troublemaker" is widely understood, it can sound informal or judgmental in professional settings. Consider using more neutral terms like "challenging individual" or "source of conflict" when communicating in business or academic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The noun "troublemaker" functions as a label for an individual known for causing problems or disturbances. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and used to identify someone who disrupts order or causes conflict, fitting the descriptions found in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "troublemaker" is a commonly used noun that refers to someone who intentionally or habitually causes problems or disruptions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, with many examples showing usage in news and media contexts. While generally carrying a negative connotation, the term's impact varies depending on context. For formal settings, alternatives like "disruptive influence" or "source of conflict" may be more suitable. When using the word "troublemaker", consider the level and intention of the trouble caused to reflect the situation accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mischief maker

Focuses more on playful or harmlessly annoying behavior.

stirrer

Emphasizes inciting conflict or unrest among others.

disruptor

Highlights someone who intentionally disrupts an established system or process.

agitator

Highlights someone who actively promotes political or social change, often through disruptive means.

problem child

Often used to describe someone who is consistently difficult to manage or control.

rabble-rouser

Suggests someone who stirs up the emotions of a crowd, often leading to disorder.

loose cannon

Suggests someone unpredictable and potentially dangerous, who acts without regard for consequences.

heckler

Specifically refers to someone who interrupts public events with disruptive comments or questions.

bad influence

Implies someone who negatively affects the behavior or choices of others.

nuisance

Indicates someone who causes annoyance or inconvenience.

FAQs

How can I use "troublemaker" in a sentence?

You can use "troublemaker" to describe someone who causes problems or disruptions, such as "He was known as the "class troublemaker"" or "The government viewed him as a dangerous "political troublemaker"".

What's a more formal alternative to "troublemaker"?

Depending on the context, alternatives like "disruptive influence", "source of conflict", or "agitator" might be more suitable for formal writing.

Is "troublemaker" a negative term?

Yes, "troublemaker" generally carries a negative connotation, implying that someone is intentionally causing problems or disruptions. However, sometimes the term can be used playfully or to describe someone who challenges the status quo for positive change.

What is the difference between "troublemaker" and "mischief-maker"?

"Troublemaker" suggests a more serious and impactful level of disruption, while "mischief maker" often refers to someone who engages in playful or harmlessly annoying behavior. A "mischief-maker" might play pranks, while a "troublemaker" might incite conflict or break rules more seriously.