1
as in challenge
something that requires thought and skill for resolution
the problem of world hunger
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in question
an interrogative expression often used to test knowledge
there were only 10 problems on the exam, but they were all challenging
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in troublesome
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of problem
T'keyah Bazin, Verywell Health, 6 Jan. 2026
The problem is amplified both because Musk pitches his chatbot as an edgier alternative to rivals with more safeguards, and because Grok’s images are publicly visible, and can therefore be easily spread.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
San Diego Elder Law Center, sandiegouniontribune.com, 24 Apr. 2018
Many people might be surprised to learn that undocumented immigrants are not typically problem children.
—Ellen McGirt, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2017
See All Example Sentences for problem
Noun
Getting too little of either can lead to weak, brittle bones, and too much can also cause problems (like kidney stones or nausea).
—T'keyah Bazin, Verywell Health, 6 Jan. 2026
The problem is amplified both because Musk pitches his chatbot as an edgier alternative to rivals with more safeguards, and because Grok’s images are publicly visible, and can therefore be easily spread.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The staff is trained to address residents who show confused or problem behavior.
—San Diego Elder Law Center, sandiegouniontribune.com, 24 Apr. 2018
Many people might be surprised to learn that undocumented immigrants are not typically problem children.
—Ellen McGirt, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2017
See All Example Sentences for problem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for problem
Noun
-
Bellarmine played a significant amount of zone defense, especially in the first half -- partially due to its limited roster but also as a challenge to UCA, who prefers to take three-point shots.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The moves comes at a time when DCS has already been facing staffing challenges.—
Hayleigh Colombo,
IndyStar,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After that day, when I was given the book which promised to answer all of my bloody questions—my long-suffering American Girl doll went into the closet.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Yes, potential excuses exist, such as the Tigers’ switch to Daniels, a senior Stanford transfer whose tremendous performance (353 yards passing and two touchdowns, 89 yards rushing and two touchdowns) demands the question of why Freeze didn’t turn the offense over to him weeks ago.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s nothing more troublesome than a government that finds no problem too small to care about — and governments have a terrible track record for solving large ones.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
7 Nov. 2025
-
However, replacing 2/3 of your outfield in one offseason can be troublesome at times.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Coker, to be clear, had no say in the matter.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Earlier this week, Risch spoke with Boise’s KIVI-TV Channel 6, and briefly addressed the matter.—
Kevin Fixler
January 10,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This change simplified the most vexing problems, of corrosion and containment, while preserving the high process heat that molten salt makes possible.—
Colin Jones,
New Yorker,
18 Dec. 2025
-
The kingdom’s inward turn is a bow to its inability to dominate a vexing region, the former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia writes.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
20 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But some committees have spent upwards of $100,000 on fundraisers paid for, and attended by, the same businesses and association groups that lobby the Legislature while spending little, if any, money trying to reach their voters about a particular issue.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
11 Jan. 2026
-
According to her bio on Cooley’s website, Hartnett serves as a trial and appellate advocate and has done work on a variety of issues including LGBTQ+ equality, civil rights and criminal justice.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Beyond the potential loss of Social Security numbers, names, addresses and credit card information, victims of health care data breaches also risk much more worrisome losses, experts said.—
Suzanne King,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2026
-
What’s worrisome is that a recent study showed that some of the crops grown in the Midwest have lower production levels in spring after warm winters compared with colder ones.—
Sheryl De Vore,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli said his team found cases drag on for more than two years, and one lasted about seven years.—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The people elect representatives to project their ideas and feelings to those in power and, in our case, with three branches that keep each other in check.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Problem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/problem. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share