What does "troubling" mean?

1. (worrying or distressing) causing you to feel worried or concerned. 2. (causing worry or pain) the act of bothering someone or causing them physical pain. 3. (the act of causing distress) the act of causing trouble or worry to someone.

How do you use "troubling"?

Commonly modifies nouns like 'news', 'trend', 'signs', or 'development'. Usually functions as a gerund followed by 'of'.

troubling

adj. · v. · n.

US //ˈtɹəbəɫɪŋ// UK //tɹˈʌblɪŋ// trou·bling

1 worrying or distressing (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

causing you to feel worried or concerned.

causing distress, anxiety, or concern; often used to describe news, trends, or evidence that suggests a problem.

Example

The doctor found some troubling signs in the blood test results.

Example

The report highlighted several troubling discrepancies in the company's financial records that suggested potential fraud.

Usage

Commonly modifies nouns like 'news', 'trend', 'signs', or 'development'.
- reassuring
- comforting
2 causing worry or pain (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the act of bothering someone or causing them physical pain.

the present participle of 'trouble', used to describe the ongoing act of causing distress, discomfort, or physical ailment.

Example

My old knee injury has been troubling me again since the weather turned cold.

Example

The ethical implications of the new policy were clearly troubling the board members during the long afternoon session.
- soothing
- pleasing

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3 the act of causing distress (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the act of causing trouble or worry to someone.

the gerundial noun referring to the infliction of distress or the process of causing difficulty.

Example

He apologised for the troubling of his neighbours during the late-night move.

Example

The systematic troubling of the local population by the occupying forces led to a formal complaint at the international tribunal.

Usage

Usually functions as a gerund followed by 'of'.
- distressing
- bothering