as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
we could tell by the troubled looks on their faces that the news was not promising
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in feared
to experience concern or anxiety
don't trouble about me—I'll be fine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disturbed
to cause discomfort to or trouble for
I hate to trouble you, but would you mind moving for a minute so I can sweep under your chair?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 troubled
Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 13 Feb. 2026
This is the second time Carolyn alludes to having had a troubled relationship with her father.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
This persistence troubled certain foreign powers that, at various moments, had supported the Islamic Republic in the hope of weakening Iran as a nation.
—Shahrnush Parsipur, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for troubled
Adjective
The Miami Herald in 2006 found widespread mismanagement of a few programs, which led to the federal government taking over the troubled agency, the newspaper reported.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 13 Feb. 2026
This is the second time Carolyn alludes to having had a troubled relationship with her father.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
In addition to that, Americans across the political spectrum should be troubled by the president’s ongoing fixation with the 2020 presidential election.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
This persistence troubled certain foreign powers that, at various moments, had supported the Islamic Republic in the hope of weakening Iran as a nation.
—Shahrnush Parsipur, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for troubled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for troubled
Adjective
-
While the consequences of skipping routine medical care may not always be immediate, Muthyala said providers are worried about the downstream impact all of this will have on the health of the community.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Some were worried about not competing for championships because of being out of the WPIAL.—
Chilekasi Adele,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As a Broward resident, I am deeply disturbed by the systematic failure of our state attorney’s offfice to prosecute the exploitation of our most vulnerable citizens.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Matkom was disturbed by the residents' testimony.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Some anxious Republicans have urged him to show more public displays of empathy.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
-
And things got as anxious as a guy on a first date with the prettiest girl in school.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Those expectations would have weighed heavily on most first-year players, even before considering Watkins’ shadow looming over all the proceedings.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The lows, on and off the field, weighed much heavier than the limited highs for the Phillies.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Fedor Zugic scored nine points on a trio of first-half 3-pointers to lead Creighton (14-14, 8-9), unable to build off a big upset Wednesday at UConn.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Residents in Queens are getting upset over the explanation from the city for a massive puddle that just won't go away.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But in securing gold, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara from Japan didn’t seem to be bothered by any of that.—
Alice Park,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The American government never even bothered to tell their family members.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Given the snowy conditions and fatigue levels, these are nervous moments for the athletes, with mere seconds separating winning from losing.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Hollywood version The team may have been extra nervous given that the previous high-profile adaptation of The House of the Spirits was a 1993 movie in English starring Hollywood actors like Meryl Streep, Glenn Close and Jeremy Irons.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When the affluent, the powerful, the politicians, and the markets were finally inconvenienced.—
Ernesto Burden,
Washington Post,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Segura and Pazsitzky are not the only stars who have been inconvenienced by the ongoing operation.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Troubled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/troubled. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
