troublemaking
Stirring up chaos
Troublemaking is behavior that causes problems, conflict, or disruption.
The word often describes a pattern rather than a single incident: His troublemaking got him expelled.
A troublemaker stirs things up—sometimes maliciously, sometimes just by refusing to go along: She was labeled a troublemaker for questioning company policy.
Provoking unlawful behavior
- provocationAct that triggers response
- agitationDisturbed, restless state
- rabble-rousingInciting mob sentiment
- stirringArousing strong emotion
fomentation · goading · egging on · antagonizing · instigator · firebrand · agitator · ringleader
Unwelcome involvement in affairs
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- underminingWeakening by covert means
- disruptionForceful interruption of process
- vandalismWillful property damage
subversion · monkey-wrenching · derailing · thwarting · tampering · meddling · spoiling · wrecking
State of utter confusion
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- havocWidespread destruction and chaos
- bedlamState of wild disorder
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
disorder · commotion · disruption · upheaval · anarchy · tumult · uproar · riot
Open resistance to authority
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- revoltOrganized resistance to power
- mutinyRevolt against authority
insurgency · resistance · dissent · subversion · sedition · nonconformity · uprising · insurrection
Playful mischievous acts
- shenanigansMischievous or deceitful behavior
- anticsAbsurd, attention-seeking behavior
- tomfooleryFoolish or silly behavior
- high jinksBoisterous, playful behavior
misbehavior · naughtiness · hijinks · roguery · capers · monkey business · devilry · horseplay
incitement
Provoking unlawful behavior
- provocationAct that triggers response
- agitationDisturbed, restless state
- rabble-rousingInciting mob sentiment
stirring · fomentation · goading · egging on · antagonizing · instigator · firebrand · agitator · ringleader · catalyst
interference
Unwelcome involvement in affairs
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- underminingWeakening by covert means
- disruptionForceful interruption of process
vandalism · subversion · monkey-wrenching · derailing · thwarting · tampering · meddling · spoiling · wrecking · destabilizing
pandemonium
State of utter confusion
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- havocWidespread destruction and chaos
- bedlamState of wild disorder
turmoil · disorder · commotion · disruption · upheaval · anarchy · tumult · uproar · riot · rampage
defiance
Open resistance to authority
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- revoltOrganized resistance to power
mutiny · insurgency · resistance · dissent · subversion · sedition · nonconformity · uprising · insurrection · rebel
pranks
Playful mischievous acts
- shenanigansMischievous or deceitful behavior
- anticsAbsurd, attention-seeking behavior
- tomfooleryFoolish or silly behavior
high jinks · misbehavior · naughtiness · hijinks · roguery · capers · monkey business · devilry · horseplay · tricks
- misbehaviormisbehave, misbehavior, mischief, misconduct, naughty
- mischiefmischief, hijinks, antics, pranks, antic
- rowdinessrowdiness, boisterousness, raucousness, unruliness, roughhousing
- troublemakinginstigate, agitator, instigating, stir, agitating
- unrulinessmisbehavior, misconduct, disobedience, defiance, insubordination
- incitementinciting, instigating, provoking, incitement, instigation
troublemakingwell-behaved
Conducting oneself properly
obedient · compliant · well-mannered · respectful · rule-following
troublemakingpeacekeeping
Preventing or ending conflict
peacemaking · harmonizing · conciliatory · mediating · unifying
troublemakinghelpful
Giving useful aid
constructive · problem-solving · beneficial · supportive · contributing
trouble, making, troubled, disturbance, troubling, troublesome, untroubled, troublemaker, troublemakers