prob·lem·at·ic
ˌprä-blə-ˈma-tik 
variants
or less commonly problematical
1
a
: posing a problem : difficult to solve or decide
a problematic situation
b
: not definite or settled : uncertain
Their future remains problematic.
c
: open to question or debate : questionable
It is problematic whether … terrorist attacks and conflicts … will generate the national coherence that twentieth-century wars did.—
Samuel P. Huntington
Samuel P. Huntington
d
: having or showing attitudes (such as racial prejudice) or ideas (such as falsehoods) that are offensive, disturbing, or harmful
The page is monitored for trolling and members can report any problematic posts.—Nicole Morley
Nicole Morley"We are bombarded with so much problematic content, from misinformation to hate speech," [Maria D. Molina] said.—Jonathan F. McVerry
Jonathan F. McVerry[Philip] Nel said the decision to no longer publish titles that include racist caricatures showed just one way to address problematic material.—Edward Helmore
Edward Helmore2
logic
: expressing or supporting a possibility
a problematic proposition
: something that is problematic : a problematic aspect or concern
Examples of problematic in a Sentence
Adjective
Rules of grammar are more problematic for non-native speakers.
the problematic situation of somehow having two dates for the same party
Recent Examples on the Web
Branden Abushanab, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Other areas where eclipse weather will be problematic will be near and along the Pacific coast of Washington, Oregon, and northern and central California where a marine layer of low clouds will be in place at eclipse time.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Today, this would prove especially problematic for the burgeoning AI industry, which requires semiconductors in massive volumes to power data centers.
—Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 11 Mar. 2025
However, one friend is making the process somewhat problematic.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for problematic
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Adjective
Fake or illegitimate reviews plague the internet, and such reviews are particularly problematic within fintechs, where customer trust is imperative to ensure confidence in services tied to sensitive information, such as your banking details or other personally identifiable information.
—Branden Abushanab, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Other areas where eclipse weather will be problematic will be near and along the Pacific coast of Washington, Oregon, and northern and central California where a marine layer of low clouds will be in place at eclipse time.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Today, this would prove especially problematic for the burgeoning AI industry, which requires semiconductors in massive volumes to power data centers.
—Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 11 Mar. 2025
However, one friend is making the process somewhat problematic.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for problematic
Cite this Entry
“Problematic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/problematic. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
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