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

Intel’s representative explained that the Intel team has pushed this to extremes in testing—their vPro team even challenged each other, successfully, to try to access a troubled machine that was acting up on a flight, over airplane Wi-Fi! —John Burek, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026

The Broadway revival of Chess — the show that finally cracked the code on one of musical theater’s most notoriously troubled books — is getting a major casting shake-up. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026

Deeply troubled by the demographic and social problems plaguing the Nenets people, Nerkagi founded the Land of Hope—a tundra school for children which combines modern and traditional education and provides support to orphans and lonely elders. —Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026

Washes of fiddle, mandolin, banjo and piano give this a bluegrass-leaning flavor, as the two artists sing a plea for peace and comfort in troubled times. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 24 Mar. 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