Definition
A troll is a person who deliberately makes inflammatory or offensive comments online in order to provoke others or disrupt conversations.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Noun
Synonyms
Provocateur, Troublemaker, Agitator, Internet troll, Mischief-maker
Antonyms
Pacifier, Peacemaker, Diplomat, Mediator, Harmony-maker
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | troller, trolls, troll, trollers |
| Verb | troll, trolls, trolled, trolling |
| Adjective | None |
| Adverb | None |
Example Sentences
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Mark is feeling frustrated with the trolls who constantly flood his social media comments with negative remarks.
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It’s important not to feed the trolls by engaging in arguments with them online.
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Even though Sarah tried to ignore the troll’s rude comments, she couldn’t help feeling hurt and upset.
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The online forum was shut down due to the excessive trolling and harassment of its members.
Usage
The noun “troll” originally comes from Scandinavian folklore, where it referred to a mythical creature that lived in isolated areas, such as forests or mountains. It was said to be a large, powerful, and often dangerous creature that could be lured out of hiding by playing music or making noise.
In modern times, the term “troll” has taken on a new meaning. It is now used to describe a person who deliberately tries to provoke or offend others online. The practice of trolling involves making inflammatory comments or posting offensive messages on social media, blogs, or forums. Trolls often do this to get attention or to disrupt conversations, and they may target individuals or groups based on race, gender, sexuality, or other factors.
The word “troll” can also be used as a verb, as in the sentence “He started trolling me on Twitter.” Similarly, someone who engages in trolling behavior can be referred to as a “troll” (noun), or as “trolling” (adjective) behavior.
There are a few variations of the term “troll” that are used in different contexts. For example, a “patent troll” refers to a person or company that buys up patents solely for the purpose of suing others who may be infringing on them. A “fishing troll” is a type of fishing lure that is designed to mimic the movement of fish, in order to attract them to bite.
In terms of prefixes, “cyber-” can be added to “troll” to describe the action of trolling online. For example, “cyber-trolling” or “cyber-bullying.” There are no common suffixes that are added to “troll” to create new words.
In conclusion, the word “troll” has evolved significantly over the years, from its origins in folklore to its current use as a term for someone who engages in online trolling behavior. While trolling can be disruptive and hurtful, it’s important to remember that not everyone who posts negative comments online is a troll.