Synonyms of troubling

troubling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtrə-b(ə-)liŋ 

as in disturbing

causing worry or anxiety

the most troubling sign of all is that he's stopped returning my phone calls

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disturbing
• unsettling
• frightening
• troublesome
• scary
• upsetting
• worrisome
• nasty
• distressing
• disquieting
• discomforting
• shocking
• nagging
• terrible
• perturbing
• horrible
• terrifying
• troublous
• discouraging
• disconcerting
• dismaying
• dire
• alarming
• discomposing
• daunting
• disheartening
• demoralizing
• dispiriting
• discomfiting
• direful
• dreadful
• chilling
• fearful
• dread
• horrifying
• formidable
• forbidding
• ghastly
• frightful
• horrendous
• fearsome
• persecutory
• intimidating
• harassing
• persecutive
• hair-raising

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassuring
• settling
• soothing
• calming
• comforting
• narcotic
• dreamy
• relaxing
• sedative
• inviting
• quieting
• tranquilizing
• consoling
• lulling
• pacifying

troubling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of trouble

1

as in worrying

to experience concern or anxiety

don't trouble about me—I'll be fine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• worrying
• fearing
• stressing
• fretting
• bothering
• sweating
• stewing
• fussing
• giving a hang
• agonizing
• sweating blood
• longing
• yearning
• pining
• despairing
• chafing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accepting
• taking
• enduring
• sustaining
• abiding
• bearing
• tolerating
• sticking out
• stomaching

2

as in weighing

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

• disturbing
• weighing
• bothering
• inconveniencing
• upsetting
• putting out
• discommoding
• incommoding
• disobliging
• annoying
• hindering
• vexing
• burdening
• angering
• bugging
• impeding
• aggravating
• hampering
• exasperating
• provoking
• encumbering
• interfering (with)
• inhibiting
• obstructing
• saddling
• handicapping
• holding back
• hobbling
• galling
• tying up
• perturbing
• shackling
• irking
• chafing
• fettering
• hamstringing
• riling
• holding up
• piquing
• manacling
• inflaming
• grating
• nettling
• getting
• agitating
• peeving
• trammeling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assisting
• favoring
• helping
• aiding
• obliging
• accommodating
• facilitating
• abetting
• smoothing
• gratifying
• easing
• satisfying
• pleasing
• disarming
• comforting
• appeasing
• delighting
• consoling
• placating
• pacifying
• mollifying
• conciliating
• gladdening
• contenting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of troubling

Adjective

Neighbors say troubling signs have recently returned to the property. — Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026

Some dietitians, celebrities and well-meaning fans have shared concerns as a troubling trend of thinness seems to be taking shape in Hollywood. — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026

Verb

The touching moment was shared on the TikTok account @rosiethestaffygirl, capturing the instant Rosie—a Staffordshire bull terrier rescue—worked up the nerve to confront something that had clearly been troubling her. — Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026

But besides defiant behavior or anger issues, there are other behaviors that indicate that something deeper is troubling your teen. — Staff Author, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026