troublemaker
/ˈtrʌblmeɪkə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtrʌblmeɪkər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtrə-bəl-ˌmā-kər/ (ame, mw)
troublemaker — noun
- troublemakersingular
- troublemakersplural
1. a person who deliberately causes problems or conflict, especially by challenging
a person who deliberately causes problems or conflict, especially by challenging or questioning people in authority.
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)
Asher was branded a troublemaker for telling coworkers about their unfair pay differences.
The manager saw Feng as a troublemaker, but the staff valued his honest policy questions.
Mayumi's letter to the editor was called troublemaker material by the town's older residents.
- 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
- peacemaker
someone who resolves arguments or calms conflict rather than creating it
- mediator
a neutral person who helps opposing sides reach agreement
文法句型
be + a troublemaker
call/consider/label + someone + a troublemaker
troublemaker + noun (attributive)
用法筆記
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.