adj
Common
problematic
prob-luh-MAT-ihk
Problematic (adj) means causing difficulty, uncertainty, or concern; hard to resolve or accept. Example: “Parking is problematic in the town centre on market days.”
adj
1
Causing difficulty, uncertainty, or concern; hard to resolve or accept.
"Parking is problematic in the town centre on market days."
"The new policy is problematic because it doesn't account for remote workers."
"His comments were widely seen as problematic on social media."
How to use problematic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCausing an issue or concern, whether practically or in terms of how it's perceived.
Common pairings
deeply problematic
problematic behavior
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Word forms
- Plural
- problematics
- Comparative
- more problematic
- Superlative
- most problematic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Parking is _____ in the town centre on market days.
Etymology
From Greek problematikos, related to "problema" — the same root as "problem."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for problematic
See all rhymes for problematic →Frequently asked questions
What does “problematic” mean?
The word “problematic” means causing difficulty, uncertainty, or concern; hard to resolve or accept. In plain terms, causing an issue or concern, whether practically or in terms of how it's perceived.
How do you pronounce “problematic”?
“Problematic” is pronounced prob-luh-MAT-ihk (/ˌpɹɑ.bləˈmæt.ɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “problematic” in a sentence?
Here is “problematic” used in a sentence: “The new policy is problematic because it doesn't account for remote workers.”
What is another word for “problematic”?
Words with a similar meaning to “problematic” include difficult, troublesome, complicated, complex and involved.
What is the opposite of “problematic”?
The opposite of “problematic” — its antonyms — is unproblematic.
What part of speech is “problematic”?
“Problematic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “problematic” come from?
The word “problematic” comes from Greek. From Greek problematikos, related to "problema" — the same root as "problem.".
Is “problematic” a common word?
“Problematic” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "problematic" and "problematical"?
They mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably. "Problematic" is the far more common modern form, while "problematical" is a longer, somewhat old-fashioned variant.
What is the difference between "problematic" and "difficult"?
"Difficult" stresses the effort or hardship involved in something, while "problematic" stresses that something raises problems, doubts, or concerns and is hard to resolve or accept. A task can be difficult without being problematic, and an idea can be problematic without being physically hard to do.
Why is "problematic" often used to mean offensive or objectionable?
In recent usage, "problematic" frequently describes attitudes, statements, or content that people find ethically or socially concerning. This grows from its core meaning of something hard to accept and likely to cause difficulty or concern.
What nouns commonly go with "problematic"?
Common pairings include "problematic behaviour," "problematic assumption," "problematic relationship," and "problematic situation." In each case the word flags something that causes difficulty, uncertainty, or concern.
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