troubled

adjective

trou·​bled ˈtrə-bəld 

1

a

: concerned, worried

troubled feelings about the decision

b

: exhibiting emotional or behavioral problems

a program for troubled youth

2

: characterized by or indicative of trouble

our troubled cities

a gray and troubled sky

Synonyms

• aflutter
• antsy
• anxious
• atwitter
• dithery
• edgy
• goosey
• het up
• hinky [slang]
• hung up
• ill at ease
• insecure
• jittery
• jumpy
• nervous
• nervy
• perturbed
• queasy
• queazy
• tense
• uneasy
• unquiet
• upset
• uptight
• worried

Examples of troubled in a Sentence

She seemed troubled about something.

These have been troubled times.

Recent Examples on the Web

Considering this troubled young woman’s history, your husband has made a big mistake by fostering her dependence on him. —Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024

There’s always a possibility that, in these troubled times, escapist blockbusters like Wicked, Gladiator II, and Dune: Part Two will find favor with a demoralized and weary audience. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2024

Arnold’s Bird, out this Friday, is a coming-of-age film where Keoghan plays a character named Bug who is a troubled single dad to a 12-year-old daughter, played by newcomer Nykiya Adams. —Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024

The approval came after a tense bargaining process that included the threat of worse offers to come from the troubled plane maker’s CEO. —Melvin Backman, Quartz, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing troubled

• ease someone's (troubled) mind
• guilty/troubled conscience
• pour oil on troubled waters
• troubled waters