troubling

adjective

trou·​bling ˈtrə-b(ə-)liŋ 

: 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

Synonyms

• discomforting
• discomposing
• disquieting
• distressing
• disturbing
• nagging
• nasty
• perturbing
• troublesome
• troublous
• unsettling
• upsetting
• worrisome

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

For American investors, the U.K. stock market hasn’t exactly been the place to be, with underperforming indices and a troubling dearth of new listings in the last few years. —Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 4 June 2024

However, Hart’s 35-year-career in law enforcement was clouded by several troubling incidents. —Katie Lauer, The Mercury News, 4 June 2024

Though Murry would deny physically abusing his sons, the audio is a troubling peek into their family dynamic. —Jordan Runtagh, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024

While cancer deaths have declined overall, a report earlier this year from the ACS found a troubling increase in colon cancer in younger adults. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above