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.

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

“Another round of fighting could be even more troublesome, as it could result in stagflation.” he says.

From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026

Indeed, the Pythagoreans had tried to squelch another troublesome mathematical concept—the irrational.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

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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