# troubled

/ˈtɹəbəɫd/ (US) · /tɹˈʌbəld/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/troubled
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. worried or anxious

adjective · CEFR B1

feeling worried, unhappy, or full of stress.

For teachers: characterised by mental or emotional distress; exhibiting signs of worry or anxiety.

- He had a troubled look on his face after reading the letter.
- The therapist noted her troubled expression, which suggested that the recent events had taken a significant toll on her mental well-being.

### 2. having many problems

adjective · CEFR B2

having a lot of problems, difficulties, or violence.

For teachers: beset by problems, conflict, or social and political unrest.

- The company has a troubled history of losing money and changing bosses.
- The diplomat spent years working in the troubled region, attempting to mediate between factions that had been at war for decades.

## Examples

- She has a troubled look on her face today.
- The government is trying to help the troubled airline industry recover from the recent economic crisis.
- Despite his outward success, the biography reveals a deeply troubled man who struggled with isolation throughout his most productive years.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.