problematic

Often prob·lem·at·i·cal

[prob-luh-mat-ik]

adjective

1. of the nature of a problem; doubtful; uncertain; questionable.

   We've discussed the problematic benefits of the treatment.

   Synonyms: ambiguous, dubious, unsettled, indeterminate, unsure

2. involving or presenting a problem that is difficult to deal with or solve.

   She faces a problematic decision.

3. tending or likely to elicit objections or disapproval; offensive: We've all had to deal with problematic relatives during the holidays.

   My ex-boyfriend's political opinions were often embarrassingly problematic.

   We've all had to deal with problematic relatives during the holidays.

problematic

/ ˌprɒbləˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. having the nature or appearance of a problem; questionable

2. obsolete,  logic (of a proposition) asserting that a property may or may not hold Compare apodeictic assertoric

Other Word Forms

• problematically adverb
• nonproblematic adjective
• nonproblematical adjective
• nonproblematically adverb
• quasi-problematic adjective
• unproblematic adjective
• unproblematical adjective
• unproblematically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of problematic¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Late Latin problēmaticus, from Greek problēmatikós, equivalent to problēmat- (stem of próblēma ) problem + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

The absence of updated inflation data would have proven even more problematic than the missing September jobs report, which the BLS couldn’t release on Oct.

Read more on Barron's

The amount of resources and attention developers devote to such efforts varies, and problematic content isn’t always detected quickly, if at all.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Davids' second season was more problematic in the Conference.

Read more on BBC

Its absence could prove even more problematic than the missing September jobs report, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics couldn’t release last Friday.

Read more on Barron's

The Scottish government has set a standard that 90% of people referred for help with problematic drug or alcohol use should receive specialist treatment within three weeks.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• ambiguous 
• dubious 
• moot 
• precarious 
• puzzling 
• questionable 
• tricky 
• uncertain 
• unsettled