problematic
Fraught with difficulties
Problematic describes something that presents difficulties or raises concerns.
A problematic situation is troublesome; a problematic argument has flaws.
In contemporary usage, problematic often signals moral or social objection: His comments about women were problematic.
This newer sense can sound euphemistic—a way of calling something offensive without saying so directly.
Requiring much effort
- challengingHard to accomplish
- troublesomeCausing difficulty or annoyance
- vexingCausing mild torment
- bothersomeCausing mild annoyance
thorny · knotty · awkward · tricky · sticky · complicated · hard · tough
Inclined toward disagreement
- disputedArgued over, unresolved
- debatableOpen to question
- polarizingCausing sharp division
- divisiveCausing sharp disagreement
questionable · contestable · arguable · moot · hot-button · touchy · inflammatory · provocative
Having inherent faults
- faultyHaving defects or errors
- imperfectHaving flaws or faults
- unsoundWeak or flawed
- deficientHaving too little
inadequate · substandard · inferior · poor · weak · unreliable · inconsistent · inaccurate
Cannot be anticipated
- unreliableNot consistently performing
- unstableProne to sudden change
- volatileLiable to sudden change
- erraticLacking regularity or consistency
inconsistent · variable · fluctuating · capricious · mercurial · unforeseeable · doubtful · dubious
Causing harm or damage
- damagingCausing loss or injury
- injuriousCausing physical harm
- hurtfulCausing emotional pain
- destructiveCausing severe harm
toxic · pernicious · deleterious · adverse · negative · unhealthy · corrosive · insidious
Causing displeasure or attack-oriented
- inappropriateNot suitable or fitting
- unacceptableNot meeting required standards
- distastefulCausing moral revulsion
- unsavoryMorally or socially objectionable
unseemly · improper · indecent · indelicate · tasteless · crude · insensitive · disrespectful
difficult
Requiring much effort
- challengingHard to accomplish
- troublesomeCausing difficulty or annoyance
- vexingCausing mild torment
bothersome · thorny · knotty · awkward · tricky · sticky · complicated · hard · tough · demanding
contentious
Inclined toward disagreement
- disputedArgued over, unresolved
- debatableOpen to question
- polarizingCausing sharp division
divisive · questionable · contestable · arguable · moot · hot-button · touchy · inflammatory · provocative · sensitive
defective
Having inherent faults
deficient · inadequate · substandard · inferior · poor · weak · unreliable · inconsistent · inaccurate · erroneous
unpredictable
Cannot be anticipated
- unreliableNot consistently performing
- unstableProne to sudden change
- volatileLiable to sudden change
erratic · inconsistent · variable · fluctuating · capricious · mercurial · unforeseeable · doubtful · dubious · iffy
detrimental
Causing harm or damage
destructive · toxic · pernicious · deleterious · adverse · negative · unhealthy · corrosive · insidious · dangerous
offensive
Causing displeasure or attack-oriented
- inappropriateNot suitable or fitting
- unacceptableNot meeting required standards
- distastefulCausing moral revulsion
unsavory · unseemly · improper · indecent · indelicate · tasteless · crude · insensitive · disrespectful · transgressive
- critique termscritique, flaw, weakness, criticism, objection
- Internet Buzzwordsviral, trending, clickbait, influencer, algorithm
- political buzzwordswoke, wokeness, virtue signaling, virtue signal, dog whistle
- Questionabledubious, shady, fishy, sketchy, iffy
- slangslang, jargon, lingo, argot, cant
- inferiorinferior, substandard, second-rate, second-class, subpar
problematicstraightforward
Clear and uncomplicated
simple · easy · uncomplicated · trouble-free · manageable
problematicunproblematic
Causing no difficulties
acceptable · unobjectionable · nonproblematic · uncontroversial · inoffensive
problematiccertain
Free from doubt
unquestionable · indisputable · undeniable · settled · clear-cut
problematical, unproblematic, problematically, nonproblematic, problematizing