problematical
Open to doubt
Problematical is a longer variant of problematic, meaning presenting difficulties or raising questions: The funding situation remains problematical.
Both forms work as adjectives, though problematic is far more common in contemporary usage.
The extra syllable adds no difference in meaning—some find it more formal, others find it needlessly elaborate.
Open to question
- controversialCausing public dispute
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- arguableOpen to dispute
- disputableAble to be challenged
questionable · moot · contested · controvertible · polemical · unsettled · vexed · contestable
Uncertain of truth
- dubiousOf uncertain reliability
- unclearNot easily understood
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- equivocalUncertain in meaning
indeterminate · tentative · iffy · unpredictable · unsure · undecided · unconfirmed · speculative
Causing difficulty or annoyance
- challengingHard to accomplish
- demandingRequiring great effort
- taxingRequiring great effort
- tryingCausing strain or frustration
vexatious · awkward · tricky · knotty · thorny · sticky · delicate · sensitive
Impossible to understand
- bewilderingCausing utter confusion
- perplexingCausing mental confusion
- confusingCausing mental uncertainty
- mystifyingCausing complete confusion
enigmatic · cryptic · inscrutable · paradoxical · inexplicable · unfathomable · confounding · impenetrable
Likely to cause injury
- perilousFraught with danger
- dangerousApt to cause harm
- unsafeLikely to cause harm
- precariousDangerously insecure
treacherous · fraught · jeopardous · threatening · high-risk · vulnerable · insecure · dodgy
debatable
Open to question
- controversialCausing public dispute
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- arguableOpen to dispute
disputable · questionable · moot · contested · controvertible · polemical · unsettled · vexed · contestable · open-ended
doubtful
Uncertain of truth
equivocal · indeterminate · tentative · iffy · unpredictable · unsure · undecided · unconfirmed · speculative · indefinite
troublesome
Causing difficulty or annoyance
- challengingHard to accomplish
- demandingRequiring great effort
- taxingRequiring great effort
trying · vexatious · awkward · tricky · knotty · thorny · sticky · delicate · sensitive · touchy
baffling
Impossible to understand
- bewilderingCausing utter confusion
- perplexingCausing mental confusion
- confusingCausing mental uncertainty
mystifying · enigmatic · cryptic · inscrutable · paradoxical · inexplicable · unfathomable · confounding · impenetrable · opaque
hazardous
Likely to cause injury
precarious · treacherous · fraught · jeopardous · threatening · high-risk · vulnerable · insecure · dodgy · gambling
problematicalcertain
Free from doubt
unquestionable · definite · indubitable · undoubted · clear-cut
problematicalstraightforward
Clear and uncomplicated
easy · simple · uncomplicated · unproblematic · trouble-free
problematicalpositive
Affirming or certain
favorable · promising · auspicious · encouraging · hopeful