troublesome

adjective

ˈtrə-bəl-səm How to pronounce troublesome (audio)
Definition of troublesomenext
as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety the troublesome news that there will be more cuts in the school budget

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 troublesome On the other hand, Ohtani missed his last start for treatment of a troublesome left knee, and neither Snell nor Glasnow has pitched since May. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026 But if winter deliveries fall short and a drought takes hold, missing the December target could mark the beginning of a troublesome era. — Corey Schmidt july 10, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026 Others are using the incident to suggest that the bears should be eliminated, extending the current trend to overstep, by relocating or even euthanizing troublesome bears. — Steve Searles, Mercury News, 8 July 2026 The dialogue addressed generally some troublesome attitudes toward women in the progressive world. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for troublesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for troublesome
  1. disturbing
  2. unsettling
  3. troubling
  4. nasty
  5. frightening
Adjective
  • Stuck together, wandering through thick green woods for days, the conversation between Sam and Paul drifts in an increasingly disturbing direction.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026
  • Wilde noted how Musk has perpetuated some of incel culture’s more disturbing ideology, particularly the belief that men are more powerful than nature.
    — Zack Sharf, Variety, 22 July 2026
Definition of disturbing
Adjective
  • The image could be a still from a film about an alien invasion, although the ominous light almost makes the figures seem like cinemagoers transfixed by something unsettling playing out onscreen.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 July 2026
  • The Houthi threat is so unsettling to oil markets because millions of barrels per day pass through the Bab el-Mandeb strait to reach global markets.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 23 July 2026
Definition of unsettling
Adjective
  • That is troubling because these early black holes should have had to undergo at least 1 billion years of mergers and gluttonous feeding to reach supermassive status.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 22 July 2026
  • But under those encouraging headlines lies a more troubling story.
    — Scott White, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of troubling
Adjective
  • In Michigan alone, more than 7,000 have fallen ill with the nasty foodborne disease, which causes severe diarrhea, and comes from exposure to a parasite in contaminated water used to wash or irrigate crops.
    — Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Europe has been consumed by a nasty fire season this year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).
    — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of nasty
Adjective
  • His solution was to ride at a frightening pace from the outset of stages, hoping to shed his rival from his back wheel — an approach that rewarded him with king of the mountains points throughout the Tour’s final week.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 July 2026
  • The most frightening scenario to many officials on both sides of the border is that the United States might use Rocha’s case as a pretext to strike Mexico.
    — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Definition of frightening

Browse Nearby Words

troubleshooters
troublesome
troubling
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Cite this Entry

“Troublesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/troublesome. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on troublesome

Nglish: Translation of troublesome for Spanish Speakers

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