troublesome

adjective

trou·​ble·​some ˈtrə-bəl-səm 

1

: difficult, burdensome

2

: giving trouble or anxiety : vexatious

troublesome news

troublesomely adverb

troublesomeness noun

Synonyms

• discomforting
• discomposing
• disquieting
• distressing
• disturbing
• nagging
• nasty
• perturbing
• troubling
• troublous
• unsettling
• upsetting
• worrisome

Examples of troublesome in a Sentence

the troublesome news that there will be more cuts in the school budget

Recent Examples on the Web

If not, look for Fred Warner to revert into early-season MVP mode as his troublesome ankle and steely mindset recharge over the bye. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024

But the Polaris Dawn mission — a five-day journey to orbit carried out by the private sector rather than NASA — sought to take that research further, hoping to unravel some of the most troublesome aspects of spaceflight. —Jackie Wattles, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024

The most troublesome crashes happen in the area with the highest amount of traffic congestion, the 23 miles of southbound lanes between Sunset Point and Anthem, according to ADOT officials. —Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 2 Sep. 2024

The matter isn’t especially disturbing or troublesome. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

troublesome

adjective

trou·​ble·​some ˈtrəb-əl-səm 

1

: requiring or involving continued or tiring effort, attention, or study : difficult, burdensome

a troublesome task

2

: giving trouble or anxiety

troublesome news

troublesomely adverb