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
  • Even when the metaphor is painfully on the nose, the film’s most disturbing images are more than their dramatic limitations and a whale is still an astonishing place to spend a movie.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
  • When her aunt Helena and paralyzed grandmother Regina arrive, the fragile boundaries between everyday life, ancestral superstition and Trina’s increasingly disturbing nightmares begin to collapse.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturbing
Adjective
  • The mystery comedy, loosely inspired by the 1989 film starring Tom Hanks, follows a married couple whose move into the husband's childhood home exposes unsettling secrets in their seemingly quiet suburban neighborhood.
    — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Liminal Yellow can read as warm or slightly unsettling, WGSN says, depending on how it is styled.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsettling
Adjective
  • Even as Silicon Valley companies have disclosed their models’ involvement in troubling cyberattacks throughout the year, the burgeoning tech sector has continued to drive economic growth.
    — Garance Burke, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
  • MacIntyre, a sophomore, took over for usual starter Faizon Brandon last week as Brandon dealt with a troubling shoulder injury and then made the start against the Razorbacks (2-4, 0-3).
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of troubling
Adjective
  • Experts aren’t sure why foods that were once tolerated can suddenly become troublesome like this.
    — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of troublesome
Adjective
  • Ali then went to the top rope and hit a nasty 450 splash through the table.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • However, the modern versions that are packed with high explosives and sit lurking under the dirt to blow up unwary vehicles or pedestrians are much nastier affairs.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of nasty
Adjective
  • Doyle has played all kinds of frightening characters in his five years at Markoff's.
    — Ayesha Rascoe, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The trailer for the movie, which includes a particularly frightening jump scare from Chastain as Other Mommy, went viral online after playing in front of theatrical screenings.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 9 Oct. 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 19 Oct. 2026.

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