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
Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
But Reiter is nevertheless troubled that Epstein’s behavior went unchallenged by so many people in positions of authority for decades.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Steve D. Klein, STAT, 14 May 2026
Information is sprung quickly and economically — her mother lives with a female partner; Diego acts troubled at school, forcing Lucila to look after him — but there’s little richness to this depiction of a fractured home.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for troubled
Adjective
Early in season 1, Beulah's troubled son, Rob-Will Jackson (Jai Courtney), created more than his fair share of headaches.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
But Reiter is nevertheless troubled that Epstein’s behavior went unchallenged by so many people in positions of authority for decades.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Verb
What troubled me most was the possibility that patients might mistake simulated empathy for genuine human connection.
—Steve D. Klein, STAT, 14 May 2026
Information is sprung quickly and economically — her mother lives with a female partner; Diego acts troubled at school, forcing Lucila to look after him — but there’s little richness to this depiction of a fractured home.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for troubled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for troubled
Adjective
-
Anthropic is also worried that competitors could use Anthropic’s AI systems to turbocharge their own research — Anthropic uses its own AI systems to help create the next generation of its models.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
-
Brandon, who lives in Rockwell, North Carolina, is worried that new Medicaid work requirements starting next year could jeopardize her health coverage.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Small black ants are generally harmless, but a colony of leafcutter ants can annihilate food crops, and aggressive fire ants build huge mounds and deliver a painful sting when disturbed.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
10 June 2026
-
In many cases, birds and their nests are protected by wildlife laws, meaning active nests should not be disturbed.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
At one end is the anxious, under‑saved retiree doing everything possible to stretch limited assets.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
-
During the first week of the cell phone ban at my school, students were anxious about losing the constant stream of their music, the ability to maintain instant communication with friends, and the immediate access to their social media feeds.—
Sarah Said,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
Brendan McDermid | Reuters Treasury yields were relatively unchanged on Monday, as investors weighed the impact from Middle East tensions and the diminishing likelihood that the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates anytime soon.—
Sean Conlon,Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
8 June 2026
-
Surgeons performed a nearly 17-hour operation to remove the leg, which had a large tumor and weighed 174 lbs.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
Brueggmann was more than good Friday, lifting the Warriors to a 2-1 upset victory over Marist in a Class 4A state semifinal game at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
-
According to the standings, this wasn’t much of an upset.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
But former captain Landon Donovan is bothered by the fact that no American side since 2002 has won a knockout-round game and reached the quarterfinals.—
Julian Cardillo,
Boston Herald,
9 June 2026
-
Be specific about what behaviors bothered the rest of the group, and tell him no one is willing to travel with her again.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
JPMorgan's traders are getting nervous about the state of the current stock market.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
8 June 2026
-
Countless fans have taken to social media with similar issues, but some were too nervous to talk with WBZ-TV on camera for fear of it impacting their status.—
Mike Sullivan,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The guests enjoy the food and don’t seem inconvenienced by the fish bones.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
26 May 2026
-
Haven’t we all been similarly inconvenienced on vacation?—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Troubled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/troubled. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
