troubled

1 of 2

adjective

trou·​bled ˈtrə-bəld 

1

a

: concerned, worried entry 1

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

troubled

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of trouble entry 2

Synonyms of troubled

Adjective

• worried
• anxious
• upset
• nervous
• uneasy

Examples of troubled in a Sentence

Adjective

She seemed troubled about something.

These have been troubled times.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

There’s plenty to unpack about the troubled relationship between young scuba diver Jay Gardiner (Austin Abrams) and his late father Mitt (Josh Brolin). — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026

The city and county of Los Angeles continue to spar over which will assume duties of the troubled Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

As an adult, Crawford's daughter Christina was outspoken about her troubled childhood in Brentwood. — Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2026

Continue reading … LIZ PEEK — Two troubled Senate races could spoil Democrats' blue-wave fantasy. — FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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