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

• worried
• upset
• anxious
• nervous
• uneasy

Examples of troubled in a Sentence

She seemed troubled about something.

These have been troubled times.

Recent Examples on the Web

His talent for expressing a volatile vulnerability and grit saw him through performances as troubled tough guys in Where the Crawdads Sing and The Iron Claw. —Liam Hess, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025

Maigret must outwit some of Paris’s most cunning and violent criminals, while dealing with his own troubled past. —Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025

Developing a new aircraft is costly and could weigh on cash flow, but given the 737 MAX's troubled history and the market share Boeing has lost because of it, moving forward with a new design may not be a bad idea. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025

In the upcoming episode, when a man with a troubled past is killed under mysterious circumstances, Morgan and the LAPD uncover a tragic motive behind his death. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025

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