troublesome

adjective

trou·​ble·​some ˈtrə-bəl-səm 

1

: difficult, burdensome

a troublesome neighbor

2

: giving trouble or anxiety : vexatious

troublesome news

troublesomely adverb

troublesomeness noun

Synonyms of troublesome

• disturbing
• unsettling
• troubling
• nasty
• frightening

Examples of troublesome in a Sentence

the troublesome news that there will be more cuts in the school budget

Recent Examples on the Web

And the struggles up front affected what was already troublesome quarterback play after Conner Harrell’s knee injury in Week 4. —Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026

The black flies are not the only troublesome creature acting up during the unseasonably warm weather. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026

That has never happened, even with Miami taking a fiscally responsible approach last offseason to help balance Miami’s troublesome books. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026

Giant hogweed is particularly troublesome in Erie County, with more than 100 hogweed sites identified (the most in the state). —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

troublesome

adjective

trou·​ble·​some ˈtrəb-əl-səm 

1

: requiring or involving continued or tiring effort, attention, or study : difficult, burdensome

a troublesome task

2

: giving trouble or anxiety

troublesome news

troublesomely adverb