problematic

1 of 2

adjective

prob·​lem·​at·​ic ˌprä-blə-ˈma-tik 

variants or less commonly problematical

ˌprä-blə-ˈma-ti-kəl 

1

a

: posing a problem : difficult to solve or decide

a problematic situation

b

: not definite or settled : uncertain

Their future remains problematic.

c

: open to question or debate : questionable

It is problematic whether … terrorist attacks and conflicts … will generate the national coherence that twentieth-century wars did.

—Samuel P. Huntington

d

: having or showing attitudes (such as racial prejudice) or ideas (such as falsehoods) that are offensive, disturbing, or harmful

The page is monitored for trolling and members can report any problematic posts.

—Nicole Morley

"We are bombarded with so much problematic content, from misinformation to hate speech," [Maria D. Molina] said.

—Jonathan F. McVerry

[Philip] Nel said the decision to no longer publish titles that include racist caricatures showed just one way to address problematic material.

—Edward Helmore

2

logic : expressing or supporting a possibility

a problematic proposition

problematically

ˌprä-blə-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

problematic

2 of 2

noun

: something that is problematic : a problematic aspect or concern

Synonyms

Adjective

• catchy
• delicate
• difficult
• dodgy [chiefly British]
• hairy
• knotty
• nasty
• prickly
• sensitive
• spiny
• sticky
• thorny
• ticklish
• touchy
• tough
• tricksy
• tricky

Choose the Right Synonym for problematic

doubtful, dubious, problematic, questionable mean not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something.

doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty.

doubtful about whether I said the right thing

dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation.

dubious about the practicality of the scheme

problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain.

whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded.

a man of questionable honesty

Examples of problematic in a Sentence

Adjective

Rules of grammar are more problematic for non-native speakers.

the problematic situation of somehow having two dates for the same party

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Cast members such as Donald Glover have spoken out in the past about Chase’s problematic set behavior. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 26 Sep. 2023

These deals turn problematic when the company holding the lease keeps collecting monthly fees but, in an effort to keep costs low for investors, skimps on the actual service part of the deal. —Alana Semuels, Time, 26 Sep. 2023

While iodine poisoning is rare, the overconsumption of iodine can be just as problematic as consuming too little. —Mary Shomon, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2023

There is also more problematic content on the site overall. —Max Hoppenstedt, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2023

Michael Thomas / Getty Images Barra singled out the disruption to the production of its pickups and the Savana Cargo van as especially problematic. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2023

But the consultation applied only to chicken made using Upside’s current, problematic processes: sheets of tissue produced in roller bottles and tissue cultivators. —WIRED, 15 Sep. 2023

Quarterback runs, an issue that’s proven problematic for Oregon’s defense through the first two weeks of the season, will almost surely not be an issue against Hawaii but the Ducks still addressed it this week. —oregonlive, 14 Sep. 2023

When Jenkins complained to the company about the problematic employee, he was told the colleague was a high earner and effectively untouchable. —Byirina Ivanova, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1898, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

problematic

adjective

prob·​lem·​at·​ic

ˌpräb-lə-ˈmat-ik

variants also problematical

-ˈmat-i-kəl

1

: difficult to solve or decide : puzzling

a problematic situation

2

: not settled : uncertain

their future is still problematic

3

: open to question

the evidence is problematic