troubled

adjective

trou·​bled ˈtrə-bəld How to pronounce troubled (audio)
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

Examples of troubled in a Sentence

She seemed troubled about something. These have been troubled times.
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.
Considering this troubled young woman’s history, your husband has made a big mistake by fostering her dependence on him. Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024 There’s always a possibility that, in these troubled times, escapist blockbusters like Wicked, Gladiator II, and Dune: Part Two will find favor with a demoralized and weary audience. Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2024 Arnold’s Bird, out this Friday, is a coming-of-age film where Keoghan plays a character named Bug who is a troubled single dad to a 12-year-old daughter, played by newcomer Nykiya Adams. Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024 The approval came after a tense bargaining process that included the threat of worse offers to come from the troubled plane maker’s CEO. Melvin Backman, Quartz, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for troubled 

Word History

First Known Use

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near troubled

Cite this Entry

“Troubled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/troubled. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on troubled

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!