troublesome

adjective

trou·​ble·​some ˈtrə-bəl-səm How to pronounce troublesome (audio)
Synonyms of troublesomenext
1
: difficult, burdensome
a troublesome neighbor
2
: giving trouble or anxiety : vexatious
troublesome news
troublesomely adverb
troublesomeness noun

Examples of troublesome in a Sentence

the troublesome news that there will be more cuts in the school budget
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But development of Starship has proved more troublesome than Musk projected, with the rocket experiencing catastrophic failures across multiple test flights in recent years. Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 9 Feb. 2026 The Mammoth have the pace and scoring depth to be a troublesome first-round opponent for either Vegas or Edmonton, and there’s a sense that they’re just getting started. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026 Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose parents left Cuba a few years before Fidel Castro took power, has eyed the regime in Havana as one of the world’s most pernicious, inhumane and troublesome. Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026 The fouls are the most troublesome issue. Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for troublesome

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of troublesome was in 1542

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Cite this Entry

“Troublesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/troublesome. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

troublesome

adjective
trou·​ble·​some ˈtrəb-əl-səm How to pronounce troublesome (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on troublesome

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