problematic

adjective

ˌprä-blə-ˈma-tik How to pronounce problematic (audio)
variants also problematical
Definition of problematicnext
1
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling the problematic situation of somehow having two dates for the same party

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged whether we should even bother finishing the project at this point is problematic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective problematic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of problematic are doubtful, dubious, and questionable. While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain.

whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

When might doubtful be a better fit than problematic?

The words doubtful and problematic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty.

doubtful about whether I said the right thing

When can dubious be used instead of problematic?

The synonyms dubious and problematic are sometimes interchangeable, but dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation.

dubious about the practicality of the scheme

When is it sensible to use questionable instead of problematic?

While the synonyms questionable and problematic are close in meaning, questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded.

a man of questionable honesty

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of problematic There's no suspension, but the 10-inch pneumatic tires handled bumps on the road decently well, though cobblestones proved problematic. —Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 18 July 2025 Thus, seeing a multitude of supermassive black holes before the universe was 1 billion years old is problematic. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 July 2025 Operator inexperience navigating Lake Michigan waters in a thunderstorm proved problematic. —Jessica Van Egeren, jsonline.com, 16 July 2025 This is especially problematic because compensation in financial services is reliant on bonuses, commissions and decision-making power and these rewards don’t often trickle down. —Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for problematic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for problematic
  1. difficult
  2. questionable
  3. sticky
  4. debatable
  5. complicated
  6. suspicious
  7. doubtful
Adjective
  • Some students may face family challenges that affect their ability to get to school, and some changes to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test, such as its move to online instead of paper form, could be difficult for students who only access computers at school, Maldonado said.
    — Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Diseases that are difficult to manage without early intervention, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer, place a significant burden on health care budgets and patient quality of life.
    — Kim Praitano, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • Radically Simplify Recruitment & Marketing The vast machinery of admissions – glossy brochures, armies of recruiters crisscrossing the country, sophisticated enrollment management systems – consumes enormous resources with questionable ROI.
    — Scott White, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • And Manu Garcia was added to the injury list as questionable late in the week, as well.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2025
Definition of questionable
Adjective
  • But just as she’s dragged back into the spotlight, her body begins to stage a quiet, sticky rebellion into a raw, absurd, and disturbingly relatable reckoning with art, womanhood, and the sheer chaos of being human.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 21 July 2025
  • Mercedes has this just about right, even with optional 22-inch AMG wheels shod with sticky high-performance Pirellis, as my test car was.
    — Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Definition of sticky
Adjective
  • However, whether or not this type of use has less impact on social life or mental health is debatable.
    — Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 21 July 2025
  • While the usefulness of AI features may be debatable, years of OS and software support are not, which gives Samsung the decisive edge.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 12 July 2025
Definition of debatable
Adjective
  • Experts say this order – and others like it – ignores existing science that shows the issue is much more complicated.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 21 July 2025
  • The distinction between a studio apartment and a one-bedroom apartment is quite simple, but understanding why the former can be a better option than the latter is slightly more complicated.
    — Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 21 July 2025
Definition of complicated
Adjective
  • Turquoise Alerts are for missing endangered persons under 65 in suspicious circumstances, while Silver Alerts are for those 65+ or with cognitive disabilities.
    — Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025
  • Police said in a news conference that there were no signs of suspicious activity in his death and an investigation is ongoing.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
Definition of suspicious
Adjective
  • That chain of events is doubtful since Verstappen backed Horner in the media days before the firing.
    — Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
  • Moments before the ceremony, her attendance was doubtful.
    — Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
Definition of doubtful

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problem
problematic
problems
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Cite this Entry

“Problematic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/problematic. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

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