trouble
23 synonyms and 0 antonyms for trouble, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A difficult, worrying, or dangerous situation or problem.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use trouble
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French troubler, "to disturb or stir up," ultimately from a Latin root meaning a disorderly crowd — the same idea of things being "stirred up" survives in the modern sense.
Full origin of trouble →Frequently asked questions
What does “trouble” mean?
The word “trouble” means a difficult, worrying, or dangerous situation or problem. In plain terms, a problem or source of worry, or the act of causing someone worry or extra effort.
How do you pronounce “trouble”?
“Trouble” is pronounced TRUH-buhl (/ˈtɹʌbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “trouble” in a sentence?
Here is “trouble” used in a sentence: “She's in trouble with her boss after missing the deadline.”
What part of speech is “trouble”?
Depending on how it is used, “trouble” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “trouble” come from?
The word “trouble” comes from Latin. From Old French troubler, "to disturb or stir up," ultimately from a Latin root meaning a disorderly crowd — the same idea of things being "stirred up" survives in the modern sense.
Is “trouble” a common word?
“Trouble” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “trouble” have?
“Trouble” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a difficult, worrying, or dangerous situation or problem.
What is the difference between trouble and a problem?
A problem is usually a specific issue to be solved, like a broken engine or a tricky sum. Trouble is broader — a state of difficulty, worry, or danger that a problem can cause. You solve a problem, but you get into, or stay out of, trouble. Trouble also carries more emotional weight.
Is 'trouble' countable or uncountable?
Usually uncountable: you have 'some trouble' or 'a lot of trouble,' not 'a trouble.' However, it can be countable in the plural when referring to particular difficulties, as in 'engine troubles' or 'financial troubles.' The singular 'a trouble' is rare and generally sounds unnatural in modern English.
What are common phrases using 'trouble'?
English has many: 'in trouble' (facing punishment or danger), 'asking for trouble' (inviting problems), 'troublemaker' (someone who causes disruption), and 'the trouble with…' (the drawback of something). There's also 'take the trouble,' meaning to make a special effort to do something despite the inconvenience.
What is the opposite of trouble?
Depending on the sense, opposites include 'ease,' 'peace,' 'calm,' and 'comfort.' Where trouble means difficulty, its opposite is smoothness or convenience; where it means worry or danger, the opposite is security and tranquillity. There's no single antonym, since 'trouble' covers several related ideas.