trouble 1 of 2

noun

ˈtrə-bəl How to pronounce trouble (audio)
Definition of troublenext
1
as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning hoping that the doctor will be able to accurately diagnose my trouble

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2
as in threat
something that may cause injury or harm that wild dog is trouble, so stay away

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3
as in problem
something that requires thought and skill for resolution the police officers first broke up the fight and then asked what the trouble was

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4
as in effort
the active use of energy in producing a result please, don't go to all that trouble just for me

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5
as in risk
the state of not being protected from injury, harm, or evil if you think your brother might be in trouble, then let's go check up on him

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trouble

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to worry
to experience concern or anxiety don't trouble about me—I'll be fine

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2
as in to bother
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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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 trouble
Noun
This was followed distantly (15 percent) by challenges with market pricing strategy, or trouble passing along the cost of the tariffs to consumers. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026 Sheriff’s officials cautioned, however, that even hikers taking that route needed to prepare for unexpected trouble, including injuries and unplanned overnight stays. — Darrell Smith, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
Following Hickerson’s first arrest in 2019, a Hickerson family source told Us Weekly that his family was troubled by their relationship, the Daily Mail reported. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026 But what troubles him most is not only what has disappeared from textbooks. — Fatima Faizi, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trouble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trouble
  1. disease
  2. threat
  3. problem
  4. effort
  5. risk
  6. worry
  7. bother
  8. ailment
Noun
  • New findings by a team of researchers from the US and Australia have complicated an ongoing debate over whether a total joint arthroplasty may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
    — Mike McRae August 31, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026
  • As the disease progresses, people can develop a stiff neck, seizures and coma.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of disease
Noun
  • This is a historically fragmented industry, with different vendors for different kinds of services, such as firewall, threat detection, and identity.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Meteorologists said the majority of model guidance does not indicate a credible hurricane threat to California during the second week of September.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of threat
Noun
  • By taking stem cells from a host’s own body and encouraging them to differentiate before mixing them with a commercially available, soluble matrix gel, researchers may have cracked the most critical problems in the transplant process.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Along with the brilliant Sangare, the signing of El Hadji Malick Diouf at left-back addresses a problem area for them.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of problem
Noun
  • Its architecture could contribute to future efforts involving inexpensive rockets produced in much larger quantities.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Poor Anton has been left out of the drama all day, an effort by Billie and Samir to prevent an already bad futzing from escalating to something severe, and that’s never where Anton likes to be.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of effort
Noun
  • Handles up improves safety and hygiene during unloading, avoiding contact with eating surfaces and reducing injury risk.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Another is the contagion risk posed by having an unvaccinated child in a waiting room alongside infants and kids with immunodeficiencies.
    — Eric Boodman, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of risk
Verb
  • The lack of federal guidance, conflicting messages and potential barriers to immunizations worry public health officials because vaccination rates are already falling, leading to resurgences of dangerous diseases like measles.
    — Rob Stein, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Their narrators worry about the corruption of their music scenes by news presenters, magazine writers, major-label scouts, and (for Goetz especially) academics.
    — Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of worry
Verb
  • Say what’s bothering you before resentment takes over the conversation.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Rafter, bothered by a right shoulder injury, retires after Cedric Pioline breaks his serve in the opening game of the fifth set.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of bother
Noun
  • One year after the fire, Christine Moore died unexpectedly with a heart ailment.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Dawn had had a lifelong interest in homeopathy and spent hours obsessively detailing her children’s ailments.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of ailment

Browse Nearby Words

troubadours
trouble
troubled
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Cite this Entry

“Trouble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trouble. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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