troubled

adjective

trou·​bled ˈtrə-bəld 

1

a

: concerned, worried

troubled feelings about the decision

b

: exhibiting emotional or behavioral problems

a program for troubled youth

2

: characterized by or indicative of trouble

our troubled cities

a gray and troubled sky

Synonyms

• aflutter
• antsy
• anxious
• atwitter
• dithery
• edgy
• goosey
• het up
• hinky [slang]
• hung up
• ill at ease
• insecure
• jittery
• jumpy
• nervous
• nervy
• perturbed
• queasy
• queazy
• tense
• uneasy
• unquiet
• upset
• uptight
• worried

Examples of troubled in a Sentence

She seemed troubled about something.

These have been troubled times.

Recent Examples on the Web

Though Henry was the longest-serving prime minister in Haiti’s troubled political history, his was marked by an unprecedented period of gang violence and turmoil, kidnappings and a humanitarian crisis spiraling out of control. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2024

Besieged by creditors, developer Craig Cohen filed for personal bankruptcy protection this month, the latest fallout from the troubled redevelopment of the Schmidt Brewery’s keg house on West Seventh Street into the Keg and Case marketplace. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing troubled

• ease someone's (troubled) mind
• guilty/troubled conscience
• pour oil on troubled waters
• troubled waters