troublemaker

troublemaker — noun

1. a person who deliberately causes problems or conflict, especially by challenging

1.nounB1
Definition

a person who deliberately causes problems or conflict, especially by challenging or questioning people in authority.

Example

The principal called Renata a troublemaker after she led a protest about broken dorm heaters.

call + someone + a troublemaker for [reason]

Nellie earned a troublemaker reputation by repeatedly questioning the safety rules at the factory.

troublemaker as attributive noun (troublemaker reputation)

Common collocations
  • call someone a troublemaker
  • be branded a troublemaker
  • be labelled a troublemaker
  • gain a reputation as a troublemaker
  • troublemaker behaviour
  • troublemaker reputation
  • known as a troublemaker
Synonyms
  • agitator

    more political and organised; an agitator deliberately stirs up public discontent, often in a group setting

  • instigator

    emphasises who starts something; an instigator may spark a conflict but not necessarily sustain it

  • mischief-maker

    lighter in tone, often playful or gossipy; a mischief-maker may cause minor trouble for amusement rather than serious disruption

Antonyms
  • peacemaker

    someone who resolves arguments or calms conflict rather than creating it

  • mediator

    a neutral person who helps opposing sides reach agreement

Grammar Patterns

be + a troublemaker

call/consider/label + someone + a troublemaker

troublemaker + noun (attributive)

Usage Note

Frequently used as a dismissive label by people in authority to discredit someone who challenges rules or policies. The same behaviour one person calls troublemaking, another may call principled dissent, so the word carries a subjective, judgemental tone.

Common Mistakes

He is a troublemaker person.
He is a troublemaker.
troublemaker already describes a person; adding 'person' is redundant.
She is a trouble maker.
She is a troublemaker.
the word is written as a single compound, not two separate words.
She is a troublemaker at school and often makes troubles.
She is a troublemaker at school and often makes trouble.
'trouble' is uncountable in this context; 'troubles' is incorrect.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While all four words describe someone who causes difficulty, they differ in scope and seriousness. An AGITATOR actively works to stir up political or social unrest, often in an organised way — a union agitator calls for strikes, for example. An INSTIGATOR starts something but may not sustain it; they spark a conflict then step back. A MISCHIEF-MAKER causes trouble in a lighter, more playful or gossipy manner, without a serious agenda — for instance, spreading rumours for amusement rather than to cause real harm. A TROUBLEMAKER is the broadest term, covering anyone whose repeated actions create conflict or challenge authority, whether in a school, a workplace, or a community. Unlike agitator, troublemaker does not imply a political motive; unlike mischief-maker, it suggests real disruption rather than harmless play. You might call someone who constantly questions classroom rules a troublemaker, but not a mischief-maker; and someone who organises a protest against unsafe conditions at work could be called either a troublemaker or an agitator, depending on whether the focus is on disruption or political organising.

agitatorinstigatormischief-maker

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • cause trouble
  • make trouble
  • stir up trouble
  • get a reputation as a troublemaker

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchOld EnglishEnglish

The word 'troublemaker' is a compound formed from 'trouble' and 'maker'. 'Trouble' entered English through Old French 'trouble', from Latin 'turbidus' meaning 'confused' or 'disturbed'. 'Maker' comes from Old English 'macian' ('to make' or 'to create'). The compound 'troublemaker' first appeared in English in the mid-19th century, combining the idea of causing disturbance with the act of creating or producing something.