problematic
Americanadjective
-
of the nature of a problem; doubtful; uncertain; questionable.
We've discussed the problematic benefits of the treatment.
- Synonyms:
- ambiguous, dubious, unsettled, indeterminate, unsure
-
involving or presenting a problem that is difficult to deal with or solve.
She faces a problematic decision.
-
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.
adjective
-
having the nature or appearance of a problem; questionable
-
obsolete logic (of a proposition) asserting that a property may or may not hold Compare apodeictic assertoric
Other Word Forms
- nonproblematic adjective
- nonproblematical adjective
- nonproblematically adverb
- problematically adverb
- quasi-problematic adjective
- unproblematic adjective
- unproblematical adjective
- unproblematically adverb
Etymology
Origin of problematic
First recorded in 1600–10; from Late Latin problēmaticus, from Greek problēmatikós, equivalent to problēmat- (stem of próblēma ) problem + -ikos -ic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In an interview last week, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said an interest-rate boost could be necessary in the future if inflation remains problematic.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
A 0% target leaves little room for error since even a minor shock could result in deflation, or falling prices—which is arguably more problematic than inflation.
From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026
Now, Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica have obtained documents that reveal the role Dundon played in pushing some of the key company practices that regulators later presented as problematic.
From Salon • Mar. 30, 2026
“So if César was exposed as being the problematic individual we now know him to be, then maybe the union and the movement was also problematic and so people stayed quiet.”
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026
These cash flows were always problematic, as the borrowers had the right to pay off any time they pleased.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
