Synonyms of problematic

problematic

adjective

ˌprä-blə-ˈma-tik 

variants also problematical

1

as in difficult

requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling

the problematic situation of somehow having two dates for the same party

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difficult
• sticky
• complicated
• tough
• complex
• nasty
• tricky
• thorny
• sensitive
• delicate
• touchy
• painful
• dodgy
• tricksy
• knotty
• hairy
• ticklish
• catchy
• serious
• spiny
• troublesome
• prickly
• problem
• intricate
• vexing
• worrisome
• abstract
• hard
• stubborn
• involved
• abstruse
• exacting
• recondite
• inconvenient
• vexatious
• stressful
• oppressive
• onerous
• burdensome
• troublous
• exhausting
• scabrous
• demanding
• importunate
• discommoding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• simple
• manageable
• straightforward
• uncomplicated
• painless
• effortless
• unproblematic
• undemanding

2

as in questionable

giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged

whether we should even bother finishing the project at this point is problematic

Synonyms & Similar Words

• questionable
• debatable
• suspicious
• doubtful
• suspect
• disputable
• dubious
• ambiguous
• unclear
• shaky
• queer
• supposed
• fishy
• equivocal
• shady
• weak
• dodgy
• dubitable
• unlikely
• alleged
• doubtable
• moot
• uncertain
• improbable
• undetermined
• flimsy
• so-called
• undecided
• far-fetched
• open

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• certain
• sure
• unproblematic
• indisputable
• unquestionable
• undeniable
• incontestable
• undoubted
• indubitable
• decisive
• definitive
• obvious
• questionless
• positive
• clear
• hands-down
• open-and-shut

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective problematic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of problematic are doubtful, dubious, and questionable. While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain.

whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

When might doubtful be a better fit than problematic?

The words doubtful and problematic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty.

doubtful about whether I said the right thing

When can dubious be used instead of problematic?

The synonyms dubious and problematic are sometimes interchangeable, but dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation.

dubious about the practicality of the scheme

When is it sensible to use questionable instead of problematic?

While the synonyms questionable and problematic are close in meaning, questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded.

a man of questionable honesty

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of problematic

And some viewers are sounding the alarm, claiming the ad has several problematic subliminal messages, including eugenics and a regressive sexualization of women. —Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 31 July 2025

This movie is probably going to feel problematic in 2025, but um, so does Pygmalion. —Emily Temple july 31, Literary Hub, 31 July 2025

The provisions also lack a cap on incentives ― which could prove problematic in the future, if the industry grows as quickly as some have predicted. —Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 30 July 2025

True resource guarding is a serious issue that often involves strong warning signals from the dog—and can be problematic if left unaddressed. —Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025