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
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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
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Recent Examples of troubled
Brandon Downs, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Federal court documents reveal a troubled life, including an eight-year prison sentence for a robbery on Long Island.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 14 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
Smith's tenure in the NFL was troubled.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Federal court documents reveal a troubled life, including an eight-year prison sentence for a robbery on Long Island.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 14 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
-
Nayyar played the socially anxious Raj Koothrappali, particle astrophysicist and BFF to Leonard.—
Grace Gavilanes,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
-
By our nature, we journalists are anxious to report fresh news, including the outcomes of elections.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Among the tackles who have been weighed at the NFL Combine, none in the last nine years stepped on the scale lighter than 290 pounds.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
-
As the Justice Department weighed approval, a coalition of states led by California are preparing a lawsuit to block the deal that’s expected to be filed within a month.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Their 1-0 win over England on June 29, 1950, in Brazil is considered the biggest upset in World Cup history.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
Golden State won in overtime, and Cleveland’s upset chances fizzled almost immediately.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
12 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 16 Jun. 2026.
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