Mischief-monger

A mischief-monger is an individual who habitually causes trouble, engages in playful but often malicious pranks, spreads rumors, or generally delights in stirring up discord or causing minor chaos. They often act out of a sense of amusement or a desire for attention, sometimes with an undercurrent of malicious intent. Their actions are characterized by a disregard for rules or the feelings of others, and they may be driven by a need to disrupt the status quo or to create amusing, if problematic, situations. This can manifest in various ways, from practical jokes to spreading gossip. A mischief-monger thrives in the thrill of causing a disturbance.

Mischief-monger meaning with examples

• The office prankster, a notorious mischief-monger, swapped all the sugar with salt. The resulting chaos brought laughter and complaints, and the perpetrator watched with glee as his coworkers reacted to their over-salted coffee. He reveled in the temporary disarray he caused, finding the reactions far more entertaining than the actual task of work.
• The neighborhood bully, a true mischief-monger, delighted in petty vandalism and spreading malicious rumors. He was known for setting up traps, deflating tires, and tormenting younger children, all for his own amusement and sense of power. His actions were calculated to create fear and disorder in the community.
• Despite his charm, the political commentator, a skilled mischief-monger, crafted inflammatory headlines and spread divisive information, exploiting societal tensions for his personal gain. His articles and speeches were designed to provoke outrage and spark conflict, keeping his name in the public discourse and maintaining his audience's attention.
• The class clown, an unintentional mischief-monger, often disrupted lessons with silly antics and poorly timed jokes. While he didn't intend harm, his actions frequently led to detentions and annoyed his teachers. Despite his intentions, his constant interruptions interfered with learning, causing disruptions and chaos.
• The online troll, a modern-day mischief-monger, specialized in harassing and insulting other users. Using anonymity, he would spread misinformation, create fake profiles, and spread discord on forums and social media platforms. His primary goal was to trigger emotional reactions and instigate online arguments.