problematic
gb/pɹˌɑbləmˈætɪk/ us/pɹˌɑbləmˈætɪk/
B2
Engelska
~ 6200
Betydelser
0 betydelser
adjective
B2
property
1
causing difficulty or problems
Causing problems or making something hard to do or handle.
Användningsmönster:
be problematic for [someone/something]
Vanligt misstag:
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.
Synonymer
troublesome (Emphasizes that something causes repeated or ongoing trouble; slightly more informal in tone.)
Antonymer
straightforward (Describes something that is easy to understand or deal with, without causing problems.)
Ordkombinationer
problematic situation
|problematic issue
|highly problematic
|potentially problematic
|prove problematic
|be problematic for
Teman
daily life
|work
|society
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Exempel
- The new software update is proving problematic for older computers.
- Parking can be problematic in this part of the city.
- 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.
Exempel för inlärare
- The train delay was problematic for many people.
- This plan is problematic because it costs too much money.
- 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.
adjective
C1
property
2
morally or socially troubling
Causing worry because it may hurt people or be unfair or offensive, especially in a social or moral way.
Användningsmönster:
a problematic [attitude/statement/term]
Vanligt misstag:
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.
Synonymer
offensive (Stronger and more direct; clearly hurts or upsets people, while *problematic* can suggest more subtle or structural harm.)
Antonymer
acceptable (Describes something that people find morally or socially okay, not causing serious concern.)
Ordkombinationer
problematic behavior
|problematic content
|problematic stereotype
|deeply problematic
|socially problematic
|racially problematic
Teman
society
|emotions
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Exempel
- Many viewers found the movie's portrayal of women deeply problematic.
- That term is considered problematic because of its racist history.
- 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.
Exempel för inlärare
- Some people think this joke is problematic because it hurts disabled people.
- The ad is problematic because it shows a bad stereotype.
- 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.
adjective
formal
C1
property
3
uncertain or open to question
Not clear or sure; people can argue about it because there is not enough information or agreement.
Användningsmönster:
be problematic as [evidence/classification]
Vanligt misstag:
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*.
Synonymer
questionable (Focuses more on doubt or suspicion; *problematic* in this sense is often neutral-formal and tied to uncertainty or unresolved issues.)
Antonymer
clear (Suggests that something is not doubtful or uncertain; it is easy to understand or agree on.)
Ordkombinationer
chronology is problematic
|dating is problematic
|classification is problematic
|documentation is problematic
|evidence is problematic
Teman
academia
|science
|law
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Exempel
- The exact dating of the manuscript remains problematic.
- His role in the negotiations is still somewhat problematic, as records are incomplete.
- 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.
Exempel för inlärare
- The true number of cases is problematic because we lack data.
- The author says the date of the letter is problematic.
- 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.
Substantiv
technical
C2
entity
4
set of related theoretical problems
In academic writing, a group of connected problems or ideas that people study and argue about.
Användningsmönster:
the problematic of [topic]
Vanligt misstag:
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.
Synonymer
problem area (Less technical and more general; *problematic* as a noun is strongly tied to academic and theoretical discussion.)
Antonymer
solution (Represents a resolved answer, while a *problematic* is an open set of problems and questions.)
Ordkombinationer
the problematic of representation
|theoretical problematic
|central problematic
|Marxist problematic
|political problematic
Teman
academia
|philosophy
|education
Exempel
- The book explores the problematic of representation in modern media.
- Feminist theory has transformed the traditional problematic of the family.
- 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.
Exempel för inlärare
- The writer talks about the problematic of race in this country.
- In this class, we study the problematic of power in politics.
- 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.
Grammatik
Grundform
problematic
IPA
GB/pɹˌɑbləmˈætɪk/
US/pɹˌɑbləmˈætɪk/
Stavelser och betoning
prob - lem - at - ic (4 stavelser)
Stress on 3rd syllable (at)
Ordformer
Adjective
- Base: problematic
Noun
- Base: problematic
- Plural: problematics
Ordfamilj
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
Uttryck
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.
Exempel
- 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.