TROUBLING Synonyms: 154 Similar and Opposite Words

troubling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtrə-b(ə-)liŋ

Definition of troubling

as in disturbing

causing worry or anxiety the most troubling sign of all is that he's stopped returning my phone calls

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

troubling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of trouble

as in worrying

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in weighing

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 troubling

Adjective

Betancur told The Charlotte Observer in an interview Monday morning the encounter was the latest in a series of troubling incidents since his business was thrust into the spotlight during Border Patrol’s November operation in Charlotte. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026 Why criminals are targeting EBT cards This is where things take a troubling turn. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Verb

The touching moment was shared on the TikTok account @rosiethestaffygirl, capturing the instant Rosie—a Staffordshire bull terrier rescue—worked up the nerve to confront something that had clearly been troubling her. — Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026 But besides defiant behavior or anger issues, there are other behaviors that indicate that something deeper is troubling your teen. — Staff Author, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for troubling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for troubling

Adjective

Last awards season, the gossip around town, salacious and disturbing in equal measure, was that hotel suites all over Hollywood were populated by tailors taking in gowns coming straight off the runway.

— Marti Noxon, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
The disturbing situation came to light after a tree fell on the home during a storm.

— Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of disturbing

Verb

This was several shades darker, worrying about economic upheaval, social unrest, cyberattacks, bioterrorism—and most important, the failure of experts and governments to take these threats seriously enough.

— Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026
Celeste begins worrying about her mother-in-law after her credit cards are declined and her outfits are increasingly out of place, but things begin to click when Mary-Louise gives Max, Josh and Ziggy expensive cars.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of worrying

Verb

The 10-photo carousel included the first photos of their baby boy, who entered the world weighing 8 lbs.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
But Karen Guzzo, an expert on family development and demographic trends at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said many American couples who are weighing parenthood need this kind of help.

— Brian Mann, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of weighing

Adjective

That year, the head trainer of the Commanders was found to have been illegally distributing oxycodone to players — an unsettling reminder of the NFL's difficult history with painkillers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
The quirky robot is a notable departure from the more unsettling machines that typically make headlines today.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of unsettling

Adjective

The thoughts that accompany these conditions can be alarming and frightening, making many women reluctant to talk about them or seek help.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Aug. 2026
There are frightening stories of swordfish charging boats, and even spearing their transoms and whacking propellers.

— Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of frightening

Verb

The government said Khan’s supporters had begun gathering outside the private hospital in violation of the court order, which required them to stay away from the medical facility to avoid inconveniencing other patients.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Apprehensive about inconveniencing others by appointing Truss at Balmoral—a first in her 70-year reign—the monarch consulted her daughter the Princess Royal.

— Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026

Definition of inconveniencing

Browse Nearby Words

troublesome

troubling

troublous

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

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Synonyms of troubling

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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