The English Oracle

What is the American version of the word ''tearaway''? (a young person who behaves in an uncontrolled way and is often causing trouble)

--------------------------------------------------
Hire the world's top talent on demand or became one of them at Toptal: https://topt.al/25cXVn
and get $2,000 discount on your first invoice
--------------------------------------------------

Music by Eric Matyas
https://www.soundimage.org
Track title: Quirky Dreamscape Looping

--

Chapters
00:00 What Is The American Version Of The Word ''Tearaway''? (A Young Person Who Behaves I
00:35 Answer 1 Score 7
00:46 Answer 2 Score 21
01:30 Answer 3 Score 10
01:56 Answer 4 Score 6
02:17 Thank you

--

Full question
https://english.stackexchange.com/questi...

--

Content licensed under CC BY-SA
https://meta.stackexchange.com/help/lice...

--

Tags
#meaning #synonyms #americanenglish

#avk47



ANSWER 1

Score 21


The word delinquent (basically standing for the legal term juvenile delinquent) is frequently used in US English in this sense. The OED has the definition

A person who commits an offence against the law or customary morality; a criminal, an offender. Now chiefly specifically: a person, especially a young person, who (persistently) commits minor crime or engages in antisocial behaviour.

Usage, from The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie:

Joyce Emily Hammond, the very rich girl, their delinquent, who had been recently sent to Blaine as a last hope, because no other school, no governess, could manage her.




ANSWER 2

Score 10


Rebel is a common term for a person who resists authority, control, or convention. It can be used in a political context, but can also be used to describe a young person who flouts authority. The 1955 film Rebel Without a Cause uses the term in exactly this context, describing disaffected teenagers who act out against authority by engaging in reckless and dangerous acts.




ANSWER 3

Score 7


Punk does come to mind, even though it may not be quite what you're looking for.

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/punk




ANSWER 4

Score 6


Rascal, often modified as young rascal, might suffice. Note it would only really apply for minor offenses and is often used affectionately. From Merriam-Webster:

1 : a mean, unprincipled, or dishonest person

2 : a mischievous person or animal