troubled

1 of 2

adjective

trou·​bled ˈtrə-bəld 

1

a

: concerned, worried entry 1

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

troubled

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of trouble entry 2

Synonyms of troubled

Adjective

• worried
• anxious
• upset
• nervous
• uneasy

Examples of troubled in a Sentence

Adjective

She seemed troubled about something.

These have been troubled times.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Ramaswamy, who is challenging Democrat Amy Acton for the governor’s seat, has come under attack from some critics for airing a campaign ad this week featuring Acton’s estranged mother slamming her daughter as a troubled liar. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026

Betancourt’s legal problems stemmed from his role in troubled Venezuelan energy projects during the corrupt rule of former President Hugo Chávez. — Cate Brown, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026

Jill’s frenetic comings and goings that week attested to the long-running strains on her personally, dealing with the Bidens’ troubled family life while Joe did his job being president. — Azadeh Moaveni, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

The streaming move follows the dissolution of Main Street Sports, one of the largest and most troubled regional sports network groups. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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