troubling
Hard to ignore
Troubling describes something that causes worry, unease, or concern.
A troubling development in a case suggests things may go badly.
Troubling news unsettles you.
The word carries less alarm than disturbing but more weight than concerning: The report contained some troubling findings about water quality.
Causing anxiety or concern
- concerningCausing worry or unease
- problematicCausing difficulty or concern
- alarmingProvoking fear or anxiety
- disconcertingCausing unease or confusion
disturbing · distressing · unsettling · disquieting · vexing · bothersome · difficult · complicated
Disturbingly strange
- creepyDisturbingly strange
- unsettlingCausing unease or discomfort
- unnervingCausing loss of composure
- chillingCausing fear or cold
haunting · sinister · ominous · strange · weird · bizarre · surreal · uncanny
Troubled mental state
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- concernTroubled interest in something
- distressSevere anxiety or suffering
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
apprehension · disquiet · discomfort · dread · nervousness · angst · trepidation · restlessness
Violating moral standards
- questionableOf uncertain validity
- dubiousOf uncertain reliability
- suspectBelieve to be likely
- shadyDisreputable or sun-blocked
improper · inappropriate · wrongful · unjust · exploitative · corrupt · dishonest · deceptive
Happening repeatedly over time
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- systemicAffecting an entire structure
- endemicNative to one area
- pervasivePresent throughout, inescapable
widespread · escalating · worsening · deteriorating · emerging · deepening · growing · mounting
worrisome
Causing anxiety or concern
- concerningCausing worry or unease
- problematicCausing difficulty or concern
- alarmingProvoking fear or anxiety
disconcerting · disturbing · distressing · unsettling · disquieting · vexing · bothersome · difficult · complicated · challenging
eerie
Disturbingly strange
- creepyDisturbingly strange
- unsettlingCausing unease or discomfort
- unnervingCausing loss of composure
chilling · haunting · sinister · ominous · strange · weird · bizarre · surreal · uncanny · off-putting
worry
Troubled mental state
anxiety · apprehension · disquiet · discomfort · dread · nervousness · angst · trepidation · restlessness · tension
unethical
Violating moral standards
- questionableOf uncertain validity
- dubiousOf uncertain reliability
- suspectBelieve to be likely
shady · improper · inappropriate · wrongful · unjust · exploitative · corrupt · dishonest · deceptive · manipulative
recurring
Happening repeatedly over time
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- systemicAffecting an entire structure
- endemicNative to one area
pervasive · widespread · escalating · worsening · deteriorating · emerging · deepening · growing · mounting · accumulating
- harassment tacticsharassment, hounding, pestering, badgering, nagging
- exhaustingdraining, taxing, tiring, exhausting, fatiguing
- scary feelingsterrified, frightening, dreadful, creepiness, goosebumps
troublingcomforting
Giving emotional ease
reassuring · soothing · calming · consoling · heartening
troublingreassuring
Restoring calm or confidence
untroubling · settling · confidence-building · affirming · promising
troublingreassuring
Restoring calm or confidence
untroubling · settling · clarifying · confirming · validating