troublous

adjective

ˈtrə-b(ə-)ləs How to pronounce troublous (audio)
Definition of troublousnext
as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety a troublous teen whose antisocial antics had us all on edge

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 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
  1. disturbing
  2. unsettling
  3. troubling
  4. troublesome
  5. nasty
  6. frightening
Adjective
  • But no one can ignore the reality that New York has experienced a disturbing rise in antisemitic attacks.
    — Simcha Itzkowitz, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • For people who live just steps from the home where the gun violence erupted, the incident was both disturbing and unsettling.
    — Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of disturbing
Adjective
  • For a series built around the unsettling idea of collective perfection, Pluribus works because each department thrived in the chaos of creation.
    — Deadline, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
  • As Ludwig’s body begins to change in unsettling ways, the cure becomes a journey through fear, loss and transformation.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsettling
Adjective
  • The loss of the union’s buy-in would mark a radical shift following last week’s troubling state test results — which nearly wiped out gains in reading proficiency only a year prior.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Something was clearly off, and the sharp pivot toward paranoia was a troubling turn.
    — Ayana Lage, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of troubling
Adjective
  • In instances where these agents are acting on behalf of security professionals, rather than malicious invaders, this is actually troublesome as agents are now escaping the bounds of their constraints and potentially causing more harm than good.
    — Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Wright, who had a troublesome training camp last year, which was capped with a knee injury, delivered a couple of first-down runs during Thursday’s non-padded practice.
    — Omar Kelly August 6, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of troublesome
Adjective
  • Her boyfriend is nasty Sebastiano’s older soldier son Michelangelo (Lorenzo Richelmy), a true chip off the old block.
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Beyond those obvious impediments, Elkins was coming off a nasty stoppage loss in his previous fight against Julian Erosa at UFC 314 in April 2025.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of nasty
Adjective
  • And what is perhaps most frightening, in those despondent moments that inevitably follow the exhilarating rush, is the realization that this enveloping abyss retains the imprint of our actions.
    — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The video quickly sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with many viewers expressing relief that the ride's safety restraints appeared to do their job despite the frightening ordeal.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of frightening

Browse Nearby Words

troubling
troublous
trough
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Cite this Entry

“Troublous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/troublous. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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