troubling 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtrə-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce troubling (audio)
Definition of troublingnext
as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety the most troubling sign of all is that he's stopped returning my phone calls

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

troubling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of trouble
1
as in worrying
to experience concern or anxiety don't trouble about me—I'll be fine

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weighing
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 troubling
Adjective
The efforts speaks to the increasingly stringent — and desperate — measures public agencies and lawmakers in California are attempting in order to stem a troubling rise in e-bike incidents. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 But despite living in a far more interconnected world that better mitigates these emergencies, the stone still serves as a poignant—if troubling—sign of our most pressing problems. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
My mother’s rheumatism was troubling her, and Betsy stayed home to keep her company. — Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026 The touching moment was shared on the TikTok account @rosiethestaffygirl, capturing the instant Rosie—a Staffordshire bull terrier rescue—worked up the nerve to confront something that had clearly been troubling her. — Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for troubling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for troubling
  1. disturbing
  2. worrying
  3. weighing
  4. unsettling
  5. bothering
  6. frightening
  7. inconveniencing
Adjective
  • The project follows a husband and wife who buy their dream ranch only to discover the land is alive with ancient spirits, and survival means submitting to increasingly disturbing rituals with each turn of the season.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
  • You might be surprised by just how disturbing The Texas Chain Saw Massacre remains more than 50 years later.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of disturbing
Verb
  • While the sports industrial complex has largely been immune from America’s trust crisis, new concerns over betting’s influence on game integrity are not only worrying fans like Brannock, but also league officials.
    — Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
  • McCarthy reunited with Aaron Rodgers, his old Super Bowl quarterback, and Harbaugh inherited Jaxson Dart as the Giants’ established young starter and spent August worrying more about protecting him than replacing him.
    — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of worrying
Verb
  • The 10-photo carousel included the first photos of their baby boy, who entered the world weighing 8 lbs.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
  • But Karen Guzzo, an expert on family development and demographic trends at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said many American couples who are weighing parenthood need this kind of help.
    — Brian Mann, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of weighing
Adjective
  • That year, the head trainer of the Commanders was found to have been illegally distributing oxycodone to players — an unsettling reminder of the NFL's difficult history with painkillers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The quirky robot is a notable departure from the more unsettling machines that typically make headlines today.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsettling
Verb
  • Some interns hesitate to contact their former colleagues for fear of bothering them, but most people are eager to help out young talent.
    — Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Contreras rarely takes days off but asked for a day off Sunday with his leg bothering him.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of bothering
Adjective
  • The thoughts that accompany these conditions can be alarming and frightening, making many women reluctant to talk about them or seek help.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Aug. 2026
  • There are frightening stories of swordfish charging boats, and even spearing their transoms and whacking propellers.
    — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of frightening
Verb
  • The government said Khan’s supporters had begun gathering outside the private hospital in violation of the court order, which required them to stay away from the medical facility to avoid inconveniencing other patients.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Apprehensive about inconveniencing others by appointing Truss at Balmoral—a first in her 70-year reign—the monarch consulted her daughter the Princess Royal.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026
Definition of inconveniencing

Browse Nearby Words

troublesome
troubling
troublous
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Cite this Entry

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

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