troubling

adjective

trou·​bling ˈtrə-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce troubling (audio)
: causing feelings of worry or anxiety
a troubling news report
It's not just trauma survivors who may be distracted or derailed by shocking or troubling material …Angus Johnston
troublingly adverb

Examples of troubling in a Sentence

the most troubling sign of all is that he's stopped returning my phone calls
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.
More troubling than political differences, young men and women aren’t occupying the same digital and physical spaces. Kian Bakhtiari, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025 Given this reality, Israelis’ attribution of collective responsibility for the Oct. 7 attack creates a troubling moral calculus that rationalizes civilian suffering. Carlo Koos, The Conversation, 22 May 2025 President Donald Trump is set to attend an exclusive dinner Thursday night with the top investors in his personalized meme coin—a gathering that Democrats are calling a blatant conflict of interest and a troubling example of how Trump is leveraging his presidency for private financial gain. Nik Popli, Time, 22 May 2025 Reconciling stories of success and troubling audit report The following board discussion centered around the board members’ attempt to square the outpouring of enthusiasm and support in the room with the troubling results of the audit. Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for troubling

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

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Cite this Entry

“Troubling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/troubling. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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