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
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The Stars Beneath Our Feet
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Excerpt from "Reading Shakespeare's Language"
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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.
A lot of dyed-in-the-wool activists were turned off by the flippancy of AOC’s riposte, and even with my own recent grappling over the problematic emotional landscape of the movement, I can understand why.
From Slate ● Aug. 17, 2026
Ohl criticised this view of masculinity as problematic, warning it normalised an idea of "the biological male who is potentially more violent and aggressive".
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
More problematic is that she has showed little depth or growth over the series run.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
He looked strong in practice sessions under the guidance of new coach Andy Murray, but withdrew from the ATP 500 event on Monday after feeling more soreness in the problematic arm.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
Madison’s thinking was decidedly less eccentric, although still problematic.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
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.
