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
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
Explanation
Something problematic poses a problem or causes difficulties. Your ambitions to become the next great leader of Spain are great, but your inability to speak Spanish might prove problematic. Around 1600, the word problematical was shortened and problematic was born. Perhaps they wanted to make it less problematic for spellers. It's an adjective that means tough, hard to solve, or even questionable. A flat tire in the middle of the desert would certainly be problematic, as would a star witness with a history of telling lies.
Vocabulary lists containing problematic
Dear Martin
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Stars Beneath Our Feet
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Excerpt from "Reading Shakespeare's Language"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
At the same time, small fly-by-night schools have been opened by profiteers and people with problematic pasts or no educational experience.
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026
Significantly, Teck showcased another quarter of operational progress at the historically problematic Quebrada Blanca mine, the analysts say.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
Cancino has appealed his termination, arguing that other officers in his unit carried out more of the problematic stops.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
“It’s one of the reasons why tomato and lettuce prices have been so problematic so far in 2026,” Volpe said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 18, 2026
Other board games, such as Trouble and Sorry, were also problematic: If a touch of bad luck stymied his plans, he became angry and would abandon the game.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
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.
