prob·lem·at·ic
ˌprä-blə-ˈma-tik
variants
or less commonly problematical
1
a
: posing a problem : difficult to solve or decide
a problematic situation
b
: not definite or settled : uncertain
Their future remains problematic.
c
: open to question or debate : questionable
It is problematic whether … terrorist attacks and conflicts … will generate the national coherence that twentieth-century wars did.—Samuel P. Huntington
d
: having or showing attitudes (such as racial prejudice) or ideas (such as falsehoods) that are offensive, disturbing, or harmful
The page is monitored for trolling and members can report any problematic posts.—Nicole Morley
"We are bombarded with so much problematic content, from misinformation to hate speech," [Maria D. Molina] said.—Jonathan F. McVerry
[Philip] Nel said the decision to no longer publish titles that include racist caricatures showed just one way to address problematic material.—Edward Helmore
2
logic
: expressing or supporting a possibility
a problematic proposition
: something that is problematic : a problematic aspect or concern
Cite this Entry
“Problematic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/problematic. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
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