Definitions

troublesome

[truhb-uhl-suhm] / ˈtrʌb əl səm /

ADJECTIVE

bothersome, worrisome

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alarming annoying burdensome damaging dangerous difficult inconvenient intractable irksome irritating messy painful problematic taxing tough tricky ugly unruly vexing worrying

WEAK

arduous demanding disquieting harassing hard heavy importunate infestive laborious mean murder oppressive pesky pestiferous pestilential refractory repressive rough tiresome troublous trying ungovernable uphill upsetting vexatious wearisome wicked

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agreeable aiding beneficial delicate easy gentle helpful kind manageable nice pleasant pleasing safe uncomplicated

WEAK

useful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Without support of a media conglomerate, for which their division is a troublesome pimple, they know the economics fall apart.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

The troublesome Queen of the Night dazzles with high notes that shoot out like daggers.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

With no earnings to pore over, investors will be focused on the economic data—and what they have seen recently looks troublesome.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

Rory McIlroy says he was "pleasantly surprised" at how good his troublesome right foot felt as he completed nine holes of practice on the eve of the US PGA Championship at Aronimink near Philadelphia.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

Codifying the treatment and rights of “free Negroes” within a slave society was always a troublesome task for lawmakers, for the mere presence of nonslave blacks threatened the established order.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Vocabulary lists containing troublesome

Similes from Top AP English Exam Novels

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Sarah, Plain and Tall

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Sounder

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