troubling

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

Synonyms of troubling

• disturbing
• unsettling
• frightening

Examples of troubling in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

McWilliams, the defense attorney, told CNN the speed and scale of the escalation surrounding what happened was troubling. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Several troubling new details are included in the articles, including an accusation that ADA leadership knew in advance that members would be handing out copies of the editorial and deliberately set up an ambush by venue security and local police. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026

The lack of organizational major league ready starting pitching depth is troubling. — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

The filing, first reported by TMZ Wednesday, follows troubling statements made to caseworkers by Paul, who shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul. — Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for troubling

• bubbling
• doubling
• redoubling