The separation of gold from sand is problematic.
Source: tatoeba (243581)
Problematic
/ˌpɹɒbləˈmætɪk/
Synonyms for "problematic" (155 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (31)
Adjective(10 words)
debatableadverse outcomeamoral pedagogybad behaviorbafflingbalkiestbothersomebriarychallengingchallenging behaviors
a bit thicka bit thinabsurdambiguousarguableat issuebafflingbewilderingbeyond beliefborderlinebotheringcloudedconditionalconfoundingconfusingconfutableconjecturalcontestablecontroversial
Adjective(2 words)
Strong matches (47)
Adjective(12 words)
controversialdifficultdiscomfitingdisquietingdisruptive technologydysfunctionaldysfunctional communitydysfunctional processelusiveethical crisisethically dubiousfraught
controvertibledebatabledeniabledifficultdiscomposingdisconcertingdismayingdisputabledisputeddistractingdisturbingdoubtabledoubteddoubtfuldubiousdubitableembarrassingenigmaticequivocalfishy
Show 10 more words
Noun(3 words)
Adjective(1 words)
Verb(1 words)
Related words (77)
inconceivableincredibleindecisiveintricatemistakablemootmysteriousmystifyingnot deserving beliefnot to be believedopenopen to doubtopen to questionopen to suspicionparadoxicalpassing beliefperplexingperturbingprecariouspreposterous
Show 32 more words
Adjective(19 words)
inconvenientitchierknottymorally questionablenettlesomeplaguyproblematicalthorniestthornytoughtroubledtroublesometroublousunclearuneasiestunethicalvexedworrisomezero tolerance policy
Adjective(2 words)
Verb(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: debatable, a bit thick, a bit thin, absurd, adverse outcome.
- Sentence evidence is available for problematic, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "problematic".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "problematic"
Keep "problematic" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "problematic" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "problematic", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "problematic" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
3 entriesMore specific
6 entriescomplex problemcontroversial claimdebatable conclusiondifficult taskethically questionable practicemorally problematic policy
Collocations
6 entriesproblematic behaviorproblematic dataproblematic methodproblematic policyproblematic situationproblematic trend
Inflections
2 entriesmore problematicmost problematic
Derivations
2 entriessimilar
3 entriesTranslations
23 translations across 21 languages.
Armenian
1 entries- խնդրահարույց adj (posing a problem)
Bulgarian
1 entries- проблематичен adj (posing a problem)
Catalan
1 entries- problemàtic adj (posing a problem)
Czech
1 entries- problematický adj (posing a problem)
Danish
1 entries- problematisk adj (posing a problem)
Dutch
1 entries- problematisch adj (posing a problem)
Esperanto
1 entries- problema adj (posing a problem)
Finnish
2 entries- ongelmallinen adj (posing a problem)
- problemaattinen adj (posing a problem)
French
1 entries- problématique adj (posing a problem)
Georgian
1 entries- პრობლემატური adj (posing a problem)
German
1 entries- problematisch adj (posing a problem)
Greek
1 entries- προβληματικός adj (posing a problem)
Hebrew
1 entries- בעייתי adj (posing a problem)
Hungarian
2 entries- bajos adj (posing a problem)
- problematikus adj (posing a problem)
Italian
1 entries- problematico adj (posing a problem)
Latvian
1 entries- problemātisks adj (posing a problem)
Māori
1 entries- whakararu adj (posing a problem)
Norman
1 entries- problièmatique adj (posing a problem)
Polish
1 entries- problematyczny adj (posing a problem)
Romanian
1 entries- problematic adj (posing a problem)
Russian
1 entries- проблемати́чный adj (posing a problem)
Sample sentences
18 total sentences available.
Marrying someone from a different background or country will always be more problematic than marrying someone from your own.
Source: tatoeba (689498)
Your boyfriend is a problematic person, but that's not a good enough reason to give up or break off your relationship.
Source: tatoeba (703276)
It may be problematic to dissuade your parents from accompanying you to the event.
Source: tatoeba (845818)
Showing 4 of 18 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "problematic"?
Closest matches include debatable, a bit thick, a bit thin, absurd, adverse outcome.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "problematic"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.