trouble 1 of 2

noun

ˈtrə-bəl How to pronounce trouble (audio)
Definition of troublenext
1
as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning hoping that the doctor will be able to accurately diagnose my trouble

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2
as in threat
something that may cause injury or harm that wild dog is trouble, so stay away

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3
as in problem
something that requires thought and skill for resolution the police officers first broke up the fight and then asked what the trouble was

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4
as in effort
the active use of energy in producing a result please, don't go to all that trouble just for me

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5
as in risk
the state of not being protected from injury, harm, or evil if you think your brother might be in trouble, then let's go check up on him

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trouble

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to worry
to experience concern or anxiety don't trouble about me—I'll be fine

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2
as in to bother
to cause discomfort to or trouble for I hate to trouble you, but would you mind moving for a minute so I can sweep under your chair?

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of trouble
Noun
Serious trouble can find its way into even the safest communities, and Green knows better than to assume that a quiet street means a harmless encounter. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026 As the gang debriefs after the event, Robyn reveals that Gizelle had made yet another reference to Tia’s marital troubles during a podcast recording, teasing that listeners would learn more in six months. — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
And some Pac-12 teams emerging through the first half of the season could trouble the Broncos, such as Oregon State and Colorado State. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Oct. 2026 Lucie’s talented-but-troubled student, Susan Yi, writes fiction that resembles an accusation about Lucie. — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trouble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trouble
  1. disease
  2. threat
  3. problem
  4. effort
  5. risk
  6. worry
  7. bother
  8. ailment
Noun
  • The man fell into a coma and succumbed to the disease on October 9, 2026, after life support was withdrawn.
    — Sahas Mehra, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Amid the onset of Parkinson’s disease, Lincoln retired from the museum in 2014.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of disease
Noun
  • Beyond the immediate threat to crude supplies, damage to refining infrastructure could pose a more persistent challenge to global energy markets.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Trump has repeated threats to take out power plants and other infrastructure.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of threat
Noun
  • Last month, the Kremlin acknowledged problems with food and medical ​supplies getting into Oleshky, saying its military was working to resolve them.
    — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In fact, the Iran war, inflation and the debt problems are potentially about to get even worse.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of problem
Noun
  • The $60 million ceiling covers a three-year development effort, but the announcement does not establish a final procurement value.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Over the past two months, amid efforts to find what could be more than $20 billion to recapitalize insurance funds, Walter has sold his controlling interest in the Lakers and a minority share of Chelsea, the English Premier League club.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of effort
Noun
  • The spread over Germany's 10-year Bunds peaked at more than 177 basis points a day later, amid concerns about spillover risks elsewhere in Europe.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The album’s greatest risk is that its devotion becomes indistinguishable from its own self-importance.
    — Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of risk
Verb
  • Although officials have not released details about the cause of death, scientists agree that if it was caused by ordinary plague, the wider world has little to worry about.
    — Faye Flam, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Jason Henry | Bloomberg | Getty Images Anthropic’s IPO prospectus is chock-full of details for investors to celebrate — and worry about.
    — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of worry
Verb
  • The mathematics and computer science graduate, who spent two years in the Peace Corps, launched Netflix by mailing DVDs in red envelopes to customers bothered by Blockbuster Video chain’s practices and late fees.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Some people, like me, are bothered by such images but can mostly ignore them.
    — Gabriela Galvin, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of bother
Noun
  • Last season, Williams missed 49 regular-season games and much of the postseason after dealing with a right wrist injury that required surgery and nagging hamstring ailments in both legs.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • So, too, was Capra’s, despite some misbegotten movies and his struggles with depression and other ailments.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of ailment

Browse Nearby Words

troubadours
trouble
troubled
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Cite this Entry

“Trouble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trouble. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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