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

The Italian town is not the first area to struggle with troublesome peacocks or other birds. —Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 14 May 2026

One of the best ways to deter these troublesome insects is to lure them away from your zucchini crops by planting Hubbard squash nearby as a trap crop. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2026

Several factors make cancers in the pancreas especially troublesome. —Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 12 May 2026

Disarming Hamas has proven troublesome for international partners. —Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 8 May 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