variants
also problematical
1
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
the problematic situation of somehow having two dates for the same party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
whether we should even bother finishing the project at this point is problematic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of problematic
Gregory Davis, the former Dunster House Allston Burr resident dean, found himself in the hot seat after a Harvard student-run news outlet called Yard Report resurfaced the problematic posts.
—
Peter D'abrosca , Rachel Del Guidice, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
But having two teams in the 200s (Texas State and Oregon State) would be highly problematic for NCAA Tournament positioning.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
Even traits that would otherwise be welcomed become more problematic when applied to topics as consequential as probate.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 3 Jan. 2026
The museum has never shied away from the more problematic areas of British art history, including art made in countries that Englands conquered or colonized.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for problematic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for problematic
Adjective
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Jens generally chooses his words carefully, and is, what’s more, particularly reticent just after finishing a long and difficult winter delivery trip; what’s a person supposed to do with words in a blizzard anyway, up on a stormy heath and all directions lost?—
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In his first start in the wake of Beau Pribula’s significant injury, Zollers walked into a difficult situation, and his stat line reflected it.—
Adjective
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The ingredient lists are often questionable, loaded with gums, stabilizers, oils, and added sugars that brands throw in to make their products taste and act like real milk.—
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Outside of those three young players and Cam Skattebo, Schoen has consistently made questionable decisions since landing in New York and has a 22-45-1 record to show for it.—
Adjective
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This leads to families having to make tough decisions, said Cindy Kincaid, family caregiver program manager at Centralina Regional Council.—
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She's been amazing, a sort of brutal support, tough lover, very educational.—
Adjective
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The reporting shows that plenty of fear and uncertainty remain over the untold billions of dollars being poured into wildly unprofitable AI ventures — a dynamic that’s seen AI companies’ valuations skyrocket to record heights, despite dubious prospects of ever turning a profit.—
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But Davis described the claims as dubious.—
Adjective
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The commission said the report overlooks other time-sensitive cases that don't require intake appointments.—
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Cold conditions may damage or kill sensitive crops, plants, and vegetation if appropriate precautions are not taken.—
Adjective
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That disputable appraisal turned a few heads, and people began peppering the bot for further remarks on Musk’s physical prowess.—
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That time, a very disputable foul denied him.—
Adjective
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But, the good news is that cleaning shower grout isn't complicated.—
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So there are a lot of complicated emotions and a mixture of emotions happening, as well as gestures.—
Adjective
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The committee has called on state officials to testify in closed-door, transcribed interviews, while requesting suspicious activity reports from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, along with a staff-level briefing from the Justice Department.—
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When the publication of his article is followed by the suspicious suicide of Dale Washberg, Lee follows a trail of breadcrumbs to find out the truth.—
Cite this Entry
“Problematic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/problematic. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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