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

troubled times

a gray and troubled sky

Synonyms of troubled

• worried
• anxious
• upset
• nervous
• uneasy

Examples of troubled in a Sentence

She seemed troubled about something.

These have been troubled times.

Recent Examples on the Web

Both teens are hiding secrets; Johnny, a potentially devastating injury and Shannon, a troubled and violent homelife. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026

Attorneys for the tech titans hit back, saying in opening statements Monday and Tuesday that Kaley’s troubled home life and her fractious relationship with her family were to blame for her suffering, not the platforms. —Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026

But rather than exploring a viral true crime, this gem follows troubled junior college football players looking at their shot to play Division I and secure a brighter future. —Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Feb. 2026

That there are so many things to do is perhaps surprising, given the troubled history of this former Portuguese colony. —Lisa Grainger, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for troubled

• bubbled
• doubled
• redoubled
• untroubled