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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in worrying
to experience concern or anxiety
don't trouble about me—I'll be fine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 troubling
Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Oct. 2025
Duggan highlighted other troubling numbers, such as Michigan's fall in fourth grade reading scores compared to other states to landing 44th in 2024, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
—Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Yet most fans do not care unduly about what a squad costs and while sound financial management is welcomed, the strength of the team is the thing that is troubling them right now.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for troubling
Adjective
More troubling, however, was that in several cases, these young and healthy males demonstrated EKG abnormalities.
—Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Oct. 2025
Duggan highlighted other troubling numbers, such as Michigan's fall in fourth grade reading scores compared to other states to landing 44th in 2024, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
—Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
China is poised to win great swathes of the booming European EV market and that is troubling the automakers.
—Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Yet most fans do not care unduly about what a squad costs and while sound financial management is welcomed, the strength of the team is the thing that is troubling them right now.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for troubling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for troubling
Adjective
-
With 31 percent of adults and 80 percent of adolescents not meeting recommended levels of physical activity, researchers have unveiled a disturbing glimpse of what the long-term impacts on our health and appearance could look like.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The film follows his lead, constructing a near-relentless study of misery that culminates in a disturbing finale.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This year’s National Day box office in October was lower than in 2014, which is worrying.—
Gavin J Blair,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Nov. 2025
-
But at some point in the near future, data-center spending will likely outpace even these enormous cash flows, reducing Big Tech’s liquidity and worrying investors.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The seams between bricks of any wall, some of the blocks weighing tons, feel as smooth to the touch as a faint scar.—
Ryan Knighton,
AFAR Media,
31 Oct. 2025
-
If someone is out there weighing that kind of choice, Lutz urged them to call 211 and ask about whether there’s financial help available.—
Cathie Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Rather, the Lamb baby is literally the face of a lamb and the body of a human child, which is unsettling in a wholly novel way.—
Dennis Perkins,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The problem is that among the general public, the optics are unsettling.—
David Hill,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If something’s bothering you, say so.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Saft, not bothering to remove his sneakers, leaped onto a chair to place an ornate gold mirror over the mantelpiece.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But the trailer also offers a glimpse a frightening car crash that derails their career and life plans.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
-
There were no spooky increases at the pumps or frightening fuel costs this Halloween.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
No one forced them to expand to the West Coast, inconveniencing coaches, players and fans of 14 other schools.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Need someone to absorb your wife’s anger over that extramarital affair without inconveniencing your mistress?—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Troubling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/troubling. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share