Troubled Meaning

UK /ˈtrʌbld/
US /ˈtrʌbəld/
Word Definition
troubled meaning

Troubled Definition & Usage

adjective

Feeling distressed, anxious, or upset, often due to worry or concern.

Examples

  • "She felt troubled by the news of her friend's sudden departure."
  • "His troubled expression indicated that something was wrong."
  • "The children were troubled by the loud noises from the storm outside."
  • "After hearing the troubling reports, he couldn't shake the sense of dread."
  • "The troubled look on her face suggested she hadn't slept well last night."
adjective

Experiencing difficulties or complications, especially in a physical or operational sense.

Examples

  • "The troubled economy led to a rise in unemployment."
  • "They were dealing with troubled finances after the business expansion."
  • "The car’s troubled engine refused to start despite multiple attempts."
  • "The troubled company was struggling to stay afloat amidst rising competition."
  • "She noticed the troubled waters of the river were dangerous to cross."

Cultural Context

The word 'troubled' often carries a sense of emotional weight, indicating concern or distress, and is frequently used in everyday conversation to refer to both personal mental states and external situations. It has widespread usage in various contexts, including personal relationships, news media, and literature.

A Day of Troubles

Story

A Day of Troubles

It was an overcast morning in the small town of Brigham, and Laura stood at the window, staring out at the misty streets. The previous day’s events weighed heavily on her mind. The troubling conversation with her boss about the company's future had left her feeling uneasy. Her troubled thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of her phone. It was her brother, Mark. 'Laura, you okay?' Mark asked, his voice filled with concern. 'I’m not sure,' she replied, her voice tinged with worry. 'I just can’t stop thinking about everything. The layoffs, the uncertainty… it's all a bit too much.' Mark paused. 'I get it. Things are tough, but we’ll get through it. Remember how we handled that crisis last year with the house renovation? It was a mess, but we pulled it together.' Laura smiled weakly, though her mind still felt troubled. She wished she could share the burden of her anxiety with someone who understood, but her own worries seemed to grow heavier with each passing day. As she made her way to the kitchen to make some tea, the sound of the news report on the radio caught her attention: 'The troubled economy continues to cause strain on local businesses, with many facing significant financial difficulties.' It felt like the world was troubled on all fronts. She had always managed to stay optimistic, but today, that optimism felt like a distant memory. Later that afternoon, Laura went for a walk to clear her mind. The path near the river was peaceful, but the troubled waters rushing past her reminded her of the turbulence in her own life. She watched as the current carried leaves and debris, reminding her how everything seemed to be swept away in a flood of uncertainty. As the day turned to evening, Laura made her way back to her apartment, feeling the weight of her troubled thoughts. Yet, she knew that in time, things would settle down. Life had a way of working itself out, even in the most troubled of times.

A Day of Troubles