troubled

adjective

trou·​bled ˈtrə-bəld 

1

a

: concerned, worried

troubled feelings about the decision

b

: exhibiting emotional or behavioral problems

a program for troubled youth

2

: characterized by or indicative of trouble

our troubled cities

a gray and troubled sky

Synonyms

• aflutter
• antsy
• anxious
• atwitter
• dithery
• edgy
• goosey
• het up
• hinky [slang]
• hung up
• ill at ease
• insecure
• jittery
• jumpy
• nervous
• nervy
• perturbed
• queasy
• queazy
• tense
• uneasy
• unquiet
• upset
• uptight
• worried

Examples of troubled in a Sentence

She seemed troubled about something.

These have been troubled times.

Recent Examples on the Web

Buzzy film projects Reflecting today’s troubled times, projects at the co-financing markets dealt with harsh human stories about migration, war, bullying, climate crisis and screen addiction but most were told with a playfulness and even humor in order to reach a wide audience. —Annika Pham, Variety, 23 Nov. 2024

Her mom’s troubled childhood made their relationship difficult Cher and her mother were bonded for life, but Holt carried trauma from a difficult childhood that made transitioning to young motherhood rough. —Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024

Show compassion and understanding to those going through troubled times. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024

Stranger Things star Dacre Montgomery and Vicky Krieps (Old, Phantom Thread) play the titular Jack and Jill, two strangers connected through their troubled relationship to Elizabeth — the mother who abandoned Jack and was Jill’s domineering and lover. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing troubled

• ease someone's (troubled) mind
• guilty/troubled conscience
• pour oil on troubled waters
• troubled waters