troubleshoot

verb

trou·​ble·​shoot ˈtrə-bəl-ˌshüt How to pronounce troubleshoot (audio)
troubleshot ˈtrə-bəl-ˌshät How to pronounce troubleshoot (audio) ; troubleshooting

intransitive verb

: to operate or serve as a troubleshooter
is troubleshooting for an electronics firm

transitive verb

: to investigate or deal with in the role of troubleshooter
troubleshoots computer problems
troubleshoot a problem

Examples of troubleshoot in a Sentence

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.
Get your paperwork sorted, make some phone calls, and troubleshoot the error messages on your screen. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026 That often leads them to spend time troubleshooting the procedure and trying slightly different conditions to get useful data. — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026 One quick way to troubleshoot your fig harvest is to grow a fig tree indoors. — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2026 What Roth is troubleshooting is a 35-pound humanoid sculpture emerging out the back of the dress and wrapping its arms around Roth’s upper body—a faceless specter looming over him that one armchair critic likens to something from Spirit Halloween. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for troubleshoot

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from troubleshooter

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of troubleshoot was in 1918

Rhymes for troubleshoot

See All Rhymes for troubleshoot

Browse Nearby Words

troubler
troubleshoot
troubleshooter
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Troubleshoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/troubleshoot. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

troubleshoot

verb
trou·​ble·​shoot ˈtrəb-əl-ˌshüt How to pronounce troubleshoot (audio)
troubleshot -ˌshät How to pronounce troubleshoot (audio) ; troubleshooting
1
: to locate trouble and make repairs (as in machinery)
2
: to find a solution to a problem or disagreement
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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