TROUBLOUS Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

troublous

adjective

ˈtrə-b(ə-)ləs

Definition of troublous

as in disturbing

causing worry or anxiety a troublous teen whose antisocial antics had us all on edge

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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 troublous Then there were the ghoulish figures of revolutionary adventurers, the Mexican painter with two pistols in his belt, the men who were carving themselves careers out of these troublous times. — John Dos Passos, National Review, 28 Sep. 2020

Recent Examples of Synonyms for troublous

Adjective

While working at the Crawford home, Lowen discovers a secret manuscript containing Verity’s apparent autobiographical notes, raising disturbing questions about her past and sending her spiraling over what to believe.

— Michaela Zee, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
The development, announced Wednesday, is the latest turn in a disturbing player-health controversy that could lead to legal action.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of disturbing

Adjective

The story, on its face, seems troubling and likely explains why Meta shares are lower Monday despite the encouraging enterprise push.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
Moreover, when troubling directives were issued, career officials could still find ways to limit the damage.

— Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of troubling

Adjective

The heating oil situation is particularly troublesome here for low-to-moderate residents who rely on the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program to keep warm.

— Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Some oil tankers have made their way through the strait, but LNG tankers are a more troublesome target, according to Robin Mills, a non-resident fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy and CEO of Qamar Energy.

— Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of troublesome

Adjective

Rather, the couple’s beloved dog, Lena, was up all night with a nasty case of diarrhea.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2026
The latest special guest stars Este Haim as the mysterious Hallow's Eve, a villainess who wants to ruin Halloween forever by playing nasty tricks on kids out looking for candy.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of nasty

Adjective

Compulsory worship with frightening dogma, which could lead you equally plausibly to heaven or hell.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Alex Bregman went 4 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs in his second game back from a frightening injury, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Boston Red Sox 6-2 on Sunday in a regular-season finale that was relocated to Tropicana Field.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of frightening

Browse Nearby Words

troubling

troublous

trough

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“Troublous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/troublous. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of troublous

adjective

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