troubling

1 of 2

adjective

trou·​bling ˈtrə-b(ə-)liŋ 

: causing feelings of worry or anxiety

a troubling news report

It's not just trauma survivors who may be distracted or derailed by shocking or troubling material …

—Angus Johnston

troublingly adverb

troubling

2 of 2

present participle of trouble entry 2

Synonyms of troubling

Adjective

• disturbing
• unsettling
• frightening

Examples of troubling in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Fans have noticed a troubling trend with Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker this month. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026

With the married couple of Robert and Camille Sims careening off onto very different moral trajectories, Camille must confront troubling truths as her conscience plummets into the pits of Hades, while Robert is on a profound journey of salvation. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Legislative Inspector General Michael McCuskey has shown extremely troubling behavior recently. — Collin Corbett, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

The efforts speak to the increasingly stringent measures public agencies and lawmakers in California are attempting in order to stem a troubling rise in e-bike incidents. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for troubling

• bubbling
• doubling
• redoubling