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

Country singer Elle King is opening up about her troubled relationship with father, Rob Schneider. —Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

Dennis Hernandez, the troubled brother of late New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, pleaded guilty on Wednesday in federal court to making threats against the University of Connecticut and three out-of-state individuals. —Staff and Wire Reports, Hartford Courant, 19 Dec. 2024

Stahl, after some troubled years out of the spotlight, makes a welcome return as a compelling, morally murky lead. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024

But unlike troubled Stanley Black & Decker, Constellation Brands CEO has downplayed these concerns to Wall Street. —Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 19 Dec. 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