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

Celeste would soon set out on her troubled journey as a runaway from Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, California. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

The film centers on Prabha, a troubled young man whose sudden and unexplained death triggers a ripple effect across his extended family and community. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 July 2026

What To Watch For Whether Guerrero’s shooting will spur efforts to add guardrails on ICE agents, as Democratic lawmakers told the AP that Brouillette’s allegedly troubled background had exposed flaws in how the agency hires and deploys its officers. — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

That includes more than $1 billion to renovate the troubled Rice Street jail and a $300 million commitment to building a new hospital in southern Fulton County. — Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 16 July 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