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
Literary Hub
july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
To help out, the police send over a troubled (or troublesome?) detective, Michelle Calderone (Jurnee Smollett).
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 June 2025
The story follows Gail, a troubled scholarship student at the exclusive girls’ school Saint Saviours.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025
In the upcoming ninth season of Rehab Addict, which premieres on June 24, Curtis restores both that Wyoming home and a troubled Detroit property that had been invaded by squatters.
—Erin Clements, People.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for troubled
Adjective
This new biography sheds light on Cavafy’s troubled, brilliant, migratory life, and confirms the timeless beauty of much of his work.
—Literary Hub
july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
To help out, the police send over a troubled (or troublesome?) detective, Michelle Calderone (Jurnee Smollett).
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 June 2025
The story follows Gail, a troubled scholarship student at the exclusive girls’ school Saint Saviours.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025
In the upcoming ninth season of Rehab Addict, which premieres on June 24, Curtis restores both that Wyoming home and a troubled Detroit property that had been invaded by squatters.
—Erin Clements, People.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for troubled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for troubled
Adjective
-
But even in a Congress filled with newcomers, the memory of 2018 (and its electoral fallout for a beleaguered GOP) should be fresh enough to keep people worried.—
Joseph Thorndike,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
As Republicans work to pass President Donald Trump's reconciliation bill by his July 4 deadline, many are worried about the changes that could be coming to Medicaid.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Even the guards appeared to be disturbed.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
-
These five destinations show that sharing the shore with animals can be calm, safe and memorable for the right reasons when animals aren’t fed or disturbed.—
Emese Maczko,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But at the same time, local affordability concerns and overcrowding have skyrocketed, making the locals quite upset.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
-
With less than 30 seconds to go in the game, and both teams tied at 77, Reese walked off the court visibly upset during a timeout.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
According to the organization's website, Burt was 16 feet, 8 inches long and weighed more than 1,500 pounds.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Burt was estimated to be over 90-years-old and weighed a staggering 700kg, per The Independent.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
But perhaps the most persuasive testimony came from Mrs. Hall herself, who embodied the defense’s portrait of a loyal, unsuspecting wife, home alone and anxious over her husband’s mysterious disappearance.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
27 June 2025
-
Often, one partner, typically the more avoidant or anxious one, manages their own vulnerability by over-managing the other person.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
With the exception of the Russell 2000, which gained 1%, none of the major indices bothered to get out of bed the day after Christmas.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
-
In fact, if you can’t be bothered even to reach for the remote to select this new button, the latest firmware update will also automatically start playing the next episode after a countdown.—
John Archer,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
But with Wirtz, there was suddenly an effort not to do that; the media got nervous about calling it a record.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Watching his son evolve from a 4-star recruit out of Columbus High School in Miami to an eventual first-round pick out of Michigan State, Richardson doesn’t get too nervous or overly excited when Jase is on the court.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Outlook: Stability or Strain? Oil markets in 2024 were defined by an uneasy equilibrium.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Given that uneasy reminder, the small victory ultimately won by King and his followers is even more extraordinary and potent.—
Sophie van Bastelaer,
EW.com,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Troubled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/troubled. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share