troubling
troubling — adjective
1. making you feel anxious, uneasy, or upset because something is wrong or seems da
making you feel anxious, uneasy, or upset because something is wrong or seems dangerous
The growing number of empty shops is a troubling sign for residents.
troubling sign — common noun collocation
Sivan found the doctor's complete silence during the check-up deeply troubling.
find something troubling — verb + object + complement pattern
Baraka said the most troubling part of the report was the lack of safety measures.
It was troubling to see so many young trees damaged by the storm.
it is troubling to [verb] — impersonal construction
- troubling sign
- troubling trend
- troubling news
- troubling thought
- deeply troubling
- particularly troubling
- most troubling
- worrying
the closest synonym; interchangeable in most contexts but slightly more informal
- disturbing
stronger emotional impact; suggests something that shakes your sense of calm
- alarming
implies fear or a sense of immediate danger
- concerning
more formal and detached; often used in official or written language
- reassuring
makes you feel calm and confident again
- comforting
provides emotional relief and warmth
Usage Note
Can go before a noun (attributive: a troubling trend) or after a linking verb (predicative: The news is troubling). Do not confuse with troubled, which describes how a person feels, not what causes the feeling.