problematic

Sayprob-luh-MAT-ikUS/ˌpɹɑbləˈmætɪk/UK/ˌpɹɒbləˈmætɪk/

Noun pluralproblematics

5 meanings of problematic

1
adjective
Hard to deal with, solve, or fix.
Like a knot that gets tighter the more you pull at it.
The new schedule turned out to be quite problematic for working parents.
We hit a problematic step while putting the desk together.
Similardifficult, tricky, thorny, troublesome, complicated
Oppositestraightforward, simple, easy, unproblematic
Note
2
adjective
Helping to support unfair treatment of people, often without meaning to.
Like a small leak that slowly damages a wall without anyone noticing.
Many viewers found the old cartoon's jokes deeply problematic.
Her comment about the team was problematic and hurt several coworkers.
Similaroffensive, objectionable, insensitive, discriminatory, questionable
Note
3
adjective
Not yet settled or certain, and open to doubt or argument.
Like a coin still spinning, so you can't yet say which side it will land on.
Whether the old map is accurate remains problematic.
The test results were problematic, so the doctor ordered more checks.
Similaruncertain, doubtful, questionable, debatable, unsettled
Oppositecertain, settled, definite, indisputable
Note
4
nouncountable
A problem or hard question within a certain area of study.
Like one big puzzle that a whole group of experts works to solve together.
His report focused on one big problematic in local history.
The students discussed a single problematic for the whole lesson.
Similarproblem, issue, question
Note

Less common meaning

5
adjectivedated
Saying only that something might be true, not that it is.
Like saying "maybe" instead of "yes": you only allow that something could be true.
Saying "it might snow tomorrow" makes a problematic statement in logic.
The teacher marked the sentence as problematic, since it claimed only what was possible.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It came through Middle French from Late Latin and originally from Greek próblēma, meaning "problem" or "barrier."