enfant terrible
Shocking young talent
An enfant terrible is a person whose unconventional behavior, outspoken views, or provocative work shocks or embarrasses others in their field.
The French phrase literally means "terrible child," and the term often applies to young artists or public figures who challenge established norms: Picasso was the enfant terrible of early modernism.
The tone can be admiring or disapproving depending on context.
Attacker of cherished beliefs
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- nonconformistRejects prevailing social standards
- rebelAuthority defier
- renegadeDeserter of a cause
outsider · original · eccentric · bohemian · free spirit · visionary · outlier · rogue
One who foments discord
- instigatorOne who provokes action
- troublemakerOne who creates discord
- rabble-rouserOne who stirs dissent
- firebrandAgitator or burning stick
controversialist · incendiary · antagonist · polemicist · contrarian · bomb-thrower · agent provocateur · button-pusher
Gifted youth with rare talent
- wunderkindRemarkably talented youngster
- gifted childYouth with exceptional abilities
- boy wonderExceptionally talented young male
- whiz kidExceptionally talented youngster
early bloomer · rising star · sensation · phenom · ingenue · debutant · newcomer · upstart
Shockingly bad or excessive
- shockingCausing intense surprise
- controversialCausing public dispute
- notoriousFamous for negativity
- infamousHaving a terrible reputation
disgraceful · indecent · sensational · transgressive · unseemly · improper · shameless · audacious
Creator of new methods
- game-changerSomething transforming everything
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
- groundbreakerInnovator, first to act
iconoclast
Attacker of cherished beliefs
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- nonconformistRejects prevailing social standards
- rebelAuthority defier
renegade · outsider · original · eccentric · bohemian · free spirit · visionary · outlier · rogue · wild card
agitator
One who foments discord
- instigatorOne who provokes action
- troublemakerOne who creates discord
- rabble-rouserOne who stirs dissent
firebrand · controversialist · incendiary · antagonist · polemicist · contrarian · bomb-thrower · agent provocateur · button-pusher · stirrer
prodigy
Gifted youth with rare talent
- wunderkindRemarkably talented youngster
- gifted childYouth with exceptional abilities
- boy wonderExceptionally talented young male
whiz kid · early bloomer · rising star · sensation · phenom · ingenue · debutant · newcomer · upstart · fresh face
outrageous
Shockingly bad or excessive
- shockingCausing intense surprise
- controversialCausing public dispute
- notoriousFamous for negativity
infamous · disgraceful · indecent · sensational · transgressive · unseemly · improper · shameless · audacious · brazen
innovator
Creator of new methods
- game-changerSomething transforming everything
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
groundbreaker · transformer · reformer · challenger · upsetter
- French Loanwordsa la carte, ballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit
- French Wordsbaguette, femme, croissant, enfant, champagne
- troublemakerstroublemaker, rascals, delinquents, imps, brats
- bad boysrebel, rogue, troublemaker, delinquent, rascal
- childhoodchildhood, baby, child, kid, toys
- celebrity typesdiva, heartthrob, icon, bombshell, leading man
enfant terribleconformist
One following accepted norms
yes-man · company man · straight arrow · good boy · traditionalist
enfant terribleelder statesman
Experienced, respected political veteran
grand old man · grande dame · institution · pillar of society · doyen
enfant terribletraditionalist
Adherent to established customs
classicist · company man · safe pair of hands · old master · craftsman