trouble 1 of 2

noun

ˈtrə-bəl How to pronounce trouble (audio)
Definition of troublenext
1
as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning hoping that the doctor will be able to accurately diagnose my trouble

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2
as in threat
something that may cause injury or harm that wild dog is trouble, so stay away

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3
as in problem
something that requires thought and skill for resolution the police officers first broke up the fight and then asked what the trouble was

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4
as in effort
the active use of energy in producing a result please, don't go to all that trouble just for me

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5
as in risk
the state of not being protected from injury, harm, or evil if you think your brother might be in trouble, then let's go check up on him

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trouble

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to worry
to experience concern or anxiety don't trouble about me—I'll be fine

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2
as in to bother
to cause discomfort to or trouble for I hate to trouble you, but would you mind moving for a minute so I can sweep under your chair?

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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 trouble
Noun
Timeline troubles Ghonhee Lee is the CEO of Katalyst Space Technologies. — Leonard David, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026 The declines in private market valuations, led by troubles in private credit, brought down their allocations to alts. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
Following Hickerson’s first arrest in 2019, a Hickerson family source told Us Weekly that his family was troubled by their relationship, the Daily Mail reported. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026 But what troubles him most is not only what has disappeared from textbooks. — Fatima Faizi, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trouble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trouble
  1. disease
  2. threat
  3. problem
  4. effort
  5. risk
  6. worry
  7. bother
  8. ailment
Noun
  • But rates of cardiac disease have fallen in recent years, as the medical community pivots to managing cholesterol levels, hypertension and diabetes—all risk factors for heart disease.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The administration said 80% of insurers pledged changes to preauthorization requirements for 80% of diseases and injuries by January 2026.
    — Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of disease
Noun
  • However, the threat of taking California to the Supreme Court may be enough to bring the state’s AG Rob Bonta back to the bargaining table.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • For those who pursued advanced degrees in education, the threat of student loans was also a burden.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of threat
Noun
  • But there’s a deeper problem, by Dartmouth provost Santiago Schnell, as 100% AI-written.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The problem is, Isolde is very busy with work, so Ry is often left to herself with four alarms a day to take medication to prevent seizures.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of problem
Noun
  • Its architecture could contribute to future efforts involving inexpensive rockets produced in much larger quantities.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Poor Anton has been left out of the drama all day, an effort by Billie and Samir to prevent an already bad futzing from escalating to something severe, and that’s never where Anton likes to be.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of effort
Noun
  • Analysts warn that beyond crowded positioning and technical pullbacks, fundamental risks within the AI supply chain may also be emerging.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • States alleged that Meta’s internal research documented links between Instagram use and harms including depression, anxiety and body-image concerns among young people, while the company publicly minimized or concealed those risks.
    — Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of risk
Verb
  • Homecoming aside, there’s still the Trawler to worry about, a fact we’re reminded of when another victim turns up on a playground, this time with a pentagram carved into his back and fish corpses shoved into his wounds.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Bessent’s answer indicates that US officials worry going after Chinese banks would be crossing a red line.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of worry
Verb
  • Say what’s bothering you before resentment takes over the conversation.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Rafter, bothered by a right shoulder injury, retires after Cedric Pioline breaks his serve in the opening game of the fifth set.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of bother
Noun
  • Hospitals and medical practitioners could treat many ailments and save lives, but medications like insulin for diabetes and antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia didn’t exist.
    — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026
  • On the other side of it, Zeek Biggers, who hasn’t played in either preseason game, has been dealing with a minor nagging ailment in recent weeks but is back now.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of ailment

Browse Nearby Words

troubadours
trouble
troubled
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Cite this Entry

“Trouble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trouble. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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