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

Jones, best known for his work on Amazon Prime’s young adult drama Panic, is inhabiting the role of influential but troubled rapper Tupac Shakur. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2026

Righetti and business partner Andrea Turazza, who will become CEO of Hyphen-Integration, established the company in 1998, acquiring the trademark from a troubled software company. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026

Since then the 20-time English champion has fired two coaches, while Michael Carrick's position is under intense scrutiny after a troubled start to the season. — ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026

That is why the story speaks so urgently to our own bleak and troubled times. — Natalie Livingstone, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 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