troubling

adjective

trou·​bling ˈtrə-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce troubling (audio)
Synonyms of troublingnext
: causing feelings of worry or anxiety
a troubling news report
It's not just trauma survivors who may be distracted or derailed by shocking or troubling material …Angus Johnston
troublingly adverb

Examples of troubling in a Sentence

the most troubling sign of all is that he's stopped returning my phone calls
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Her comments read as strange to me, perhaps troubling. R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2026 Offers to help Swalwell’s troubling interactions with young women continued in recent years, according to accounts shared with CNN, including with women who worked in politics. Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 4 May 2026 The stock market may be near all-time highs, helped by the Magnificent Seven, but a look under the hood is showing some troubling breadth patterns. Sarah Min, CNBC, 4 May 2026 Equally troubling, this annual cycle consumes so much time and energy that there is almost none left to actually think about how the money is spent. Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for troubling

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of troubling was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Troubling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/troubling. Accessed 5 May. 2026.

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