problematic

Causing difficulties or making something hard to do.

• Parking here is problematic.
• The new system proved problematic for older users.
• His behavior became increasingly problematic at school.

How to use it: problematic for someone/something (The early start is problematic for parents.)

Similar words: troublesome, difficult

Opposites: unproblematic

Common phrases: problematic situation, problematic behavior, prove problematic

Uncertain or open to doubt, so it cannot easily be accepted as true or likely.

• That assumption is problematic.
• The claim remains problematic because the evidence is weak.
• Her interpretation of the old text is problematic.

Similar words: questionable, uncertain, debatable

Opposites: certain

Common phrases: problematic assumption, problematic claim, problematic interpretation