troubled

[ˈtɹʌbl̩d]

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A troubled person or situation has problems or difficulties that make them feel upset or worried. They might be struggling with their emotions or facing challenges in their life.

When we say someone's mind is troubled, it usually means they're thinking about something bothering them a lot - maybe a bad event, a tough decision, or just feelings of anxiety. It's like when you can't shake off the worry that's stuck in your head and keeps coming back to haunt you. A person might also be described as troubled if they have personal issues, like addiction or mental health problems.

How common is "troubled"?

Word troubled is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

verb

To disturb, stir up, agitate (a medium, especially water).
To mentally distress; to cause (someone) to be anxious or perplexed.
Example: What she said about narcissism is troubling me.
In weaker sense: to bother or inconvenience.
Example: I will not trouble you to deliver the letter.
To take pains to do something.
Example: I won't trouble to post the letter today; I can do it tomorrow.
To worry; to be anxious.

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adjective

Anxious, worried, careworn.

Real examples of "troubled" in context

'Breaking Bad' Fan Theories with Aaron Paul

Interview

Maybe that soothes some troubled waters.

0:42