Troubler

trou·ble  (trbl)

n.

1. A state of distress, affliction, difficulty, or need: tried to console them in their trouble; got in trouble with the police.

2. A distressing or difficult circumstance or situation: I've had troubles ever since I took this job.

3. A cause or source of distress, disturbance, or difficulty: The new recruits were a trouble to him.

4. Effort, especially when inconvenient or bothersome: went to a lot of trouble to find this book.

5. A condition of pain, disease, or malfunction: heart trouble; car trouble.

6.

a. Public unrest or disorder.

b. An instance of this; a disturbance.

c. Troubles Any of various conflicts or rebellions in Ireland or Northern Ireland, especially the period of social unrest in Northern Ireland beginning in 1969.

v. trou·bled, trou·bling, trou·bles

v.tr.

1. To agitate; stir up.

2. To afflict with pain or discomfort.

3. To cause emotional strain or anxiety to; worry or distress.

4. To inconvenience; bother: May I trouble you for directions?

v.intr.

To take pains: They trouble over every detail.

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[Middle English, from Old French, from troubler, to trouble, from Vulgar Latin *turbulre, alteration (influenced by Latin turbula, small group, diminutive of turba, crowd) of Late Latin turbidre, from Latin turbidus, confused; see turbid.]

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troubler n.

troubling·ly adv.

Synonyms: trouble, ail, distress, worry
These verbs mean to cause anxious uneasiness in: His behavior troubles his parents. What problems are ailing you? The bad news distressed us. Her high fever worries the doctor.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

troubler - someone who deliberately stirs up trouble bad hat, mischief-maker, trouble maker, troublemaker unwelcome person, persona non grata - a person who for some reason is not wanted or welcome agitator, fomenter - one who agitates; a political troublemaker disturber - a troubler who interrupts or interferes with peace and quiet; someone who causes disorder and commotion badgerer, heckler - someone who tries to embarrass you with gibes and questions and objections hellion, devil, heller - a rowdy or mischievous person (usually a young man); "he chased the young hellions out of his yard" hellhound - a very evil man inciter, instigant, instigator, provoker, firebrand - someone who deliberately foments trouble; "she was the instigator of their quarrel" blusterer, loudmouth - a person who causes trouble by speaking indiscreetly cut-up, hoaxer, practical joker, prankster, tricker, trickster - someone who plays practical jokes on others rioter - troublemaker who participates in a violent disturbance of the peace; someone who rises up against the constituted authority