variants
also problematical
1
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
the problematic situation of somehow having two dates for the same party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
whether we should even bother finishing the project at this point is problematic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of problematic
Perplexity has tapped into the power of generative artificial intelligence—with all its problematic tendencies—in an effort to challenge Google as the dominant way people find information online.
—
Will Knight, Wired News, 4 June 2025
While the 15-year-old MIT LCA referenced coal as a problematic source of energy for many factories in Asia, Polk said that’s not the reality of the modern footwear manufacturing landscape.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 4 June 2025
Though many drivers of electric vehicles won't find the process of plugging in problematic, others – such as those with personal mobility issues – may appreciate some help.
—Paul Ridden
may 23, New Atlas, 23 May 2025
The problematic effect is that the votes of 100 potentially biased members of the media can cause significant salary changes for a few players every season.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for problematic
Will Knight, Wired News, 4 June 2025
While the 15-year-old MIT LCA referenced coal as a problematic source of energy for many factories in Asia, Polk said that’s not the reality of the modern footwear manufacturing landscape.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 4 June 2025
Though many drivers of electric vehicles won't find the process of plugging in problematic, others – such as those with personal mobility issues – may appreciate some help.
—Paul Ridden
may 23, New Atlas, 23 May 2025
The problematic effect is that the votes of 100 potentially biased members of the media can cause significant salary changes for a few players every season.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for problematic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for problematic
Adjective
-
No matter how sweet, the little crocodile grows bigger and more difficult to care for.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 June 2025
-
Despite her risky gambit, Metcalfe, who is studying to be an attorney at the University of Law in Manchester, England, admits that her sport has helped her through some of the most difficult times of her life.—
Andy Frye,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
Technical guardrails help ensure agents stay within scope and flag questionable output for human review.—
Spencer Dorn,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to LA, and, under a questionable legal basis, the Secretary of Defense has put Marines at Camp Pendleton on alert.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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The unique gel texture sets into a lightweight veil that feels comfortable and stays put, so there’s no pillow staining or sticky residue.—
Marie Lodi,
Allure,
2 June 2025
-
Neanderthals made and used wooden spears, cared for their fellow community members, made sticky tar and other adhesives, and butchered massive elephants, among other feats.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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Leo: Miranda Hobbes Miranda’s birthdate is debatable.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
28 May 2025
-
Whether or not Jones would have wanted his character to feature in Fortnite is debatable, but strangely enough, Disney’s Star Wars has inspired similar debates in the past.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
Since then, however, there have been new revelations in their complicated family dynamics.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
3 June 2025
-
But every one of those steps was much more complicated for abelian surfaces.—
Joseph Howlett,
Quanta Magazine,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
Quiet Skies was revealed in 2018 by The Boston Globe, which said the program deployed air marshals, who fly armed and undercover to thwart terrorists, to track dozens of suspicious travelers daily.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
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Most of the calls were for more minor problems, such as trespassing and suspicious people, but three were related to battery, one for reported gunshots, another for an armed disturbance and one for a wanted person, the records show.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
Trump and Musk will meet by the end of the year—giving that likelihood a 57 percent chance—but are doubtful that a meeting will come in the coming weeks.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
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Initially doubtful of her claim to survivor status, she’s emboldened by her female friends to speak openly of her experience, which in turn becomes the cause célèbre that carries the entire movement.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Problematic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/problematic. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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