problematic
gb/pɹˌɑbləmˈætɪk/ us/pɹˌɑbləmˈætɪk/
B2
English
~ 6200
problémás, problematikus, aggályos, kifogásolható, kérdéses, bizonytalan, problematika
B2
1
problémás
B1
Usage pattern:
be problematic for [someone/something]
The new software update is proving problematic for older computers.
Az új szoftverfrissítés problémásnak bizonyul a régebbi számítógépeken.
Parking can be problematic in this part of the city.
A parkolás problémás lehet a város ezen részén.
His visa status is problematic, so hiring him might be risky.
These changes will be especially problematic for small businesses.
A lack of data is particularly problematic when we need to make fast decisions.
Learner examples
The train delay was problematic for many people.
A vonatkésés sok embernek problémát okozott.
This plan is problematic because it costs too much money.
Ez a terv problémás, mert túl sok pénzbe kerül.
It will be problematic if the printer stops working today.
Living so far from work is problematic for her.
The weather was problematic for our trip.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *problematic* as a noun in everyday speech (e.g. *We had many problematic*). In general English, *problematic* is an adjective (e.g. *We had many problematic situations* or simply *We had many problems*). Another confusion is using *problematic* for very simple problems where *hard*, *difficult*, or *a problem* sounds more natural.
Meaning
causing difficulty or problems
Collocations
problematic situation
|problematic issue
|highly problematic
|potentially problematic
|prove problematic
|be problematic for
Synonyms
troublesome (Emphasizes that something causes repeated or ongoing trouble; slightly more informal in tone.)
Antonyms
straightforward (Describes something that is easy to understand or deal with, without causing problems.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|society
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
Causing problems or making something hard to do or handle.
Causing difficulty, inconvenience, or trouble, and therefore being hard to deal with or solve.
C1
2
Usage pattern:
a problematic [attitude/statement/term]
Many viewers found the movie's portrayal of women deeply problematic.
Sok néző mélyen problematikusnak találta a film nőábrázolását.
That term is considered problematic because of its racist history.
Ezt a kifejezést a rasszista múltja miatt problematikusnak tartják.
The article raises some interesting ideas but its conclusions are ethically problematic.
He apologized after people pointed out the problematic assumptions in his joke.
Teachers discussed how to handle problematic content in classic literature.
Learner examples
Some people think this joke is problematic because it hurts disabled people.
Vannak, akik szerint ez a vicc problematikus, mert sérti a fogyatékossággal élő embereket.
The ad is problematic because it shows a bad stereotype.
A reklám problematikus, mert káros sztereotípiát mutat be.
Her tweet was problematic, so many people complained.
That word is problematic now; we try not to use it.
The book has a problematic message about men and women.
Common mistake:
Learners often think *problematic* here only means *difficult*. In social and political discussions, it usually means *harmful, unfair, or offensive in some way*, not just *hard to deal with*. For example, *a problematic joke* is not mainly a joke that is hard to understand, but one that may hurt or exclude people.
Meaning
morally or socially troubling
Collocations
problematic behavior
|problematic content
|problematic stereotype
|deeply problematic
|socially problematic
|racially problematic
Synonyms
offensive (Stronger and more direct; clearly hurts or upsets people, while *problematic* can suggest more subtle or structural harm.)
Antonyms
acceptable (Describes something that people find morally or socially okay, not causing serious concern.)
Themes
society
|emotions
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Causing worry because it may hurt people or be unfair or offensive, especially in a social or moral way.
Morally, socially, or politically troubling because it may be harmful, discriminatory, or offensive, even if not obviously or intentionally so.
C1
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
be problematic as [evidence/classification]
The exact dating of the manuscript remains problematic.
A kézirat pontos keltezése továbbra is kérdéses.
His role in the negotiations is still somewhat problematic, as records are incomplete.
A tárgyalásokban betöltött szerepe továbbra is némileg kérdéses, mivel a feljegyzések hiányosak.
The attribution of this painting to Rembrandt is highly problematic.
Given the limited sample size, the study's conclusions are problematic.
The legal status of these documents is problematic under current international law.
Learner examples
The true number of cases is problematic because we lack data.
Az esetek valós száma kérdéses, mert nem áll rendelkezésünkre elég adat.
The author says the date of the letter is problematic.
A szerző szerint a levél keltezése kérdéses.
This theory is interesting, but the evidence is problematic.
The result is problematic, so we must test it again.
The name of the writer is problematic; we are not sure who it was.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this formal sense with the everyday meaning *difficult*. In academic or legal texts, *problematic* often means *uncertain, doubtful, or not fully supported*, not simply *hard*.
Meaning
uncertain or open to question
Collocations
chronology is problematic
|dating is problematic
|classification is problematic
|documentation is problematic
|evidence is problematic
Synonyms
questionable (Focuses more on doubt or suspicion; *problematic* in this sense is often neutral-formal and tied to uncertainty or unresolved issues.)
Antonyms
clear (Suggests that something is not doubtful or uncertain; it is easy to understand or agree on.)
Themes
academia
|science
|law
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Definition
Not clear or sure; people can argue about it because there is not enough information or agreement.
Uncertain, doubtful, or not fully resolved, often because the evidence, explanation, or classification is incomplete or unclear.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
4
problematika
C1
Usage pattern:
the problematic of [topic]
The book explores the problematic of representation in modern media.
A könyv a reprezentáció problematikáját vizsgálja a modern médiában.
Feminist theory has transformed the traditional problematic of the family.
A feminista elmélet átalakította a család hagyományos problematikáját.
This essay situates the novel within the broader colonial problematic.
The author reframes the entire problematic of identity and difference.
He outlines the Marxist problematic that shaped early critiques of capitalism.
Learner examples
The writer talks about the problematic of race in this country.
A szerző a faji hovatartozás problematikájáról beszél ebben az országban.
In this class, we study the problematic of power in politics.
Ezen az órán a politikai hatalom problematikáját tanulmányozzuk.
The article explains the problematic of climate change in poor nations.
He uses history to rethink the problematic of modern cities.
The teacher said the course will look at the problematic of language and truth.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes assume the noun *problematic* is common in everyday English because they see it in academic texts. Outside specialized writing, speakers usually say *problem*, *set of problems*, or *problem area* instead of *problematic* as a noun.
Meaning
set of related theoretical problems
Collocations
the problematic of representation
|theoretical problematic
|central problematic
|Marxist problematic
|political problematic
Synonyms
problem area (Less technical and more general; *problematic* as a noun is strongly tied to academic and theoretical discussion.)
Antonyms
solution (Represents a resolved answer, while a *problematic* is an open set of problems and questions.)
Themes
academia
|philosophy
|education
Definition
In academic writing, a group of connected problems or ideas that people study and argue about.
A structured set of related problems, questions, or assumptions that define how a particular issue is understood and discussed, especially in philosophy, critical theory, or literary studies.
Grammar
Dictionary form
problematic
IPA
GB/pɹˌɑbləmˈætɪk/
US/pɹˌɑbləmˈætɪk/
Syllables & stress
prob - lem - at - ic (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (at)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: problematic
Noun
- Base: problematic
- Plural: problematics
Word family
Forms
problematics
noun
Core family
problem
noun A2
Related words
problematically
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unproblematic
adjective
Advanced or less common
problematize
verb C2
Expressions
problematic fave
1/pɹˌɑbləmˈætɪk fˈeɪv/
fixed phrase
informal
liked celebrity with troubling behavior
An internet slang term for a famous person, artist, or character you still like, even though they have done or said things that are wrong, harmful, or offensive.
Examples
- That director is such a problematic fave; I love his movies but hate his comments about women.
- People were debating whether the singer had become too much of a problematic fave to keep supporting.
- She wrote a blog post about how to deal with problematic faves in pop culture.