troublemaker
Stirs up problems
A troublemaker is someone who habitually causes problems, stirs up conflict, or disrupts order.
The word often describes children who misbehave or agitators who challenge authority: He was labeled a troublemaker in school.
It can be dismissive—authorities call people troublemakers to delegitimize their complaints—or affectionate: She's a troublemaker, but we love her.
One who provokes action
- provocateurOne who deliberately incites
- rabble-rouserOne who stirs dissent
- firebrandAgitator or burning stick
- inciterOne who provokes action
fomenter · stirrer · pot-stirrer · agitator · inflamer · provoker · demagogue · agent provocateur
Someone who plays tricks
- rascalLovable troublemaker
- scampMischievous young person
- impMinor mischief-making devil
- scallywagMischievous person, often young
hellion · rapscallion · joker · trickster · devil · terror · menace · pest
Opposer of established systems
- insurgentOne who revolts
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
- radicalRoot-indicating symbol
- nonconformistRejects prevailing social standards
maverick · iconoclast · renegade · mutineer · insurrectionist · subversive · resister · protester
Young person or animal
- hooliganViolent young troublemaker
- vandalWillful property destroyer
- thugViolent criminal
- ruffianViolent, lawless person
rowdy · roughneck · gangster · criminal · offender · miscreant · outlaw · lawbreaker
Persistent source of ruin
- adversaryEnemy in conflict
- opponentOne who contends against
- rivalOne who competes against
- foeHostile opponent
enemy · villain · saboteur · spoiler · obstructionist · detractor · critic · thorn in one's side
instigator
One who provokes action
- provocateurOne who deliberately incites
- rabble-rouserOne who stirs dissent
- firebrandAgitator or burning stick
inciter · fomenter · stirrer · pot-stirrer · agitator · inflamer · provoker · demagogue · agent provocateur · troll
prankster
Someone who plays tricks
scallywag · hellion · rapscallion · joker · trickster · devil · terror · menace · pest · nuisance
dissident
Opposer of established systems
- insurgentOne who revolts
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
- radicalRoot-indicating symbol
nonconformist · maverick · iconoclast · renegade · mutineer · insurrectionist · subversive · resister · protester · objector
juvenile
Young person or animal
ruffian · rowdy · roughneck · gangster · criminal · offender · miscreant · outlaw · lawbreaker · wrongdoer
nemesis
Persistent source of ruin
foe · enemy · villain · saboteur · spoiler · obstructionist · detractor · critic · thorn in one's side · bad actor
disruption
Forceful interruption of process
- havocWidespread destruction and chaos
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
upheaval · pandemonium · bedlam · disorder · commotion · uproar · tumult · disturbance · unrest · strife
- difficult peopleegomaniac, egotist, nitpicker, drama queen, control freak
- Rascalsrascal, imp, scamp, scallywag, scalawag
- troublemakersrascals, delinquents, imps, brats, lawbreakers
- bad boysrebel, rogue, delinquent, rascal, scoundrel
- delinquentsjuvenile delinquent, juvenile offender, young offender, youth offender, delinquent
- bad girlsbaddie, mean girl, villainess, she-devil, rebel
troublemakerpeacemaker
Conflict resolution agent
peacekeeper · mediator · conciliator · reconciler · pacifier
troublemakergood citizen
Law-abiding community participant
conformist · goody-goody · straight arrow · angel · good kid