troublesome

adjective

trou·​ble·​some ˈtrə-bəl-səm 

1

: difficult, burdensome

a troublesome neighbor

2

: giving trouble or anxiety : vexatious

troublesome news

troublesomely adverb

troublesomeness noun

Synonyms of troublesome

• disturbing
• unsettling
• troubling
• nasty
• frightening

Examples of troublesome in a Sentence

the troublesome news that there will be more cuts in the school budget

Recent Examples on the Web

During the Cold War, this meant limiting the Soviet Union’s influence in the region, while contending with the development of nuclear weapons by two troublesome allies, Israel and Pakistan. —Jeffrey Taliaferro, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2026

That can be troublesome as consumers are grappling with higher grocery prices and strained budgets. —Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026

Bunger explains that constipation can be particularly troublesome for astronauts during the first few days in space while their bodies adjust. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026

The biggest issue so far seems to have been a troublesome toilet—the first ever flown around the moon. —Lee Billings, Scientific American, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

troublesome

adjective

trou·​ble·​some ˈtrəb-əl-səm 

1

: requiring or involving continued or tiring effort, attention, or study : difficult, burdensome

a troublesome task

2

: giving trouble or anxiety

troublesome news

troublesomely adverb