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

a gray and troubled sky

Synonyms

• aflutter
• antsy
• anxious
• atwitter
• dithery
• edgy
• goosey
• het up
• hinky [slang]
• hung up
• ill at ease
• insecure
• jittery
• jumpy
• nervous
• nervy
• perturbed
• queasy
• queazy
• tense
• uneasy
• unquiet
• upset
• uptight
• worried

Examples of troubled in a Sentence

She seemed troubled about something.

These have been troubled times.

Recent Examples on the Web

On Friday, Tyche Bank said 500,000 euros were being made available for the financially troubled innerwear company. —Luisa Zargani, WWD, 12 July 2024

The 26-year-old who plays Kate, a troubled meteorologist, was able to mix pleasure with business. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 12 July 2024

Experts attribute the slumps of Tinder and Bumble, both run by women, to the death of hookup culture and Bumble’s troubled rebrand this year. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 12 July 2024

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing director Rory Kennedy has re-teamed with Imagine Documentaries with Netflix back on board for a follow-up on the troubled aerospace company whose’ planes seem to have their doors flying off in the sky. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 11 July 2024

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