highly troubling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly troubling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes significant concern or distress. Example: "The recent rise in cyberattacks on critical infrastructure is highly troubling for national security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The committee chairman, Keith Vaz, said: "The apparent low levels of supervision in the UK Border Agency are highly troubling.

The Guardian

The direct role of high-level Armenian officials and the link of the weapons to an attack on U.S. forces make this case unique and highly troubling.

The Guardian

"It's highly troubling that the Obama administration might propose to lengthen the time in which a potential defendant would come before a judge," Mr. Romero said.

The New York Times

(The specter of Pasadena Playhouse's financial crisis looms large for all). But the way missions are being compromised is highly troubling.

Los Angeles Times

While this is highly troubling from a reporting status (what the ICD was initially intended for), it can wreak havoc on clinical research.

Huffington Post

A Justice Department spokeswoman responded in a statement to the Los Angeles Times: "The department considers the selective release of information in this investigation to be irresponsible and highly troubling.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

A key reason why a community paper has an edge over highly troubled larger papers, says Kennedy, is exclusivity.

The Washington Post

But the east, near where insurgents in the Haqqani network have found sanctuary across the Pakistani border, remains highly troubled.

The New York Times

Conserving and wild-harvesting the products of the Sahel's trees also offers a path for peace and prosperity in a highly troubled region.

Huffington Post

McConnell has apparently overlooked the fact that the Fukushima Plant has essentially the same -- highly troubled and vulnerable -- Mark 1 reactor design as Browns Ferry and other plants in the U.S., or that, when Chernobyl melted down, the radiation did not stop at the Soviet border.

Huffington Post

He meets the highly verbal, troubled only in social situations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "highly troubling", follow up immediately with specific reasons for the concern to amplify the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "highly troubling" in casual conversations or informal writing; it's best reserved for serious discussions and professional communications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly troubling" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, expressing a strong sense of concern or disturbance. Ludwig AI examples show its use in describing situations, reports, or decisions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "highly troubling" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase to express significant concern or disturbance. As Ludwig AI indicates, it commonly appears in news reports, academic discussions, and formal communications. While versatile, it is best reserved for serious contexts to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "deeply concerning" or "extremely worrisome" can provide similar meaning with slightly different emotional tones. When using "highly troubling", ensure you provide specific reasons for your concern to effectively communicate the gravity of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply concerning

Emphasizes the depth of the concern, focusing on emotional impact.

extremely worrisome

Highlights the anxiety and apprehension caused by the situation.

gravely disturbing

Implies a serious and significant cause for unease.

seriously alarming

Stresses the potential danger or risk associated with the issue.

cause for alarm

Shifts the focus to the feeling of alert and potential danger.

a matter of grave concern

Presents the issue as a serious and important worry.

reason for serious concern

Similar to the previous one, focuses on the justification for concern.

profoundly unsettling

Highlights the disruption and discomfort caused by the situation.

exceptionally disquieting

Emphasizes the unusual and disturbing nature of the issue.

raises serious questions

Indicates that the situation prompts important and potentially difficult inquiries.

FAQs

How can I use "highly troubling" in a sentence?

You can use "highly troubling" to describe issues that cause significant concern. For example: "The data breach is "highly troubling" because it exposes sensitive personal information."

What are some alternatives to "highly troubling"?

Some alternatives include "deeply concerning", "extremely worrisome", or "gravely disturbing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "highly troubling" in formal writing?

Yes, "highly troubling" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when discussing serious or sensitive topics. It conveys a strong sense of concern and is often used in news reports, academic papers, and professional communications.

What makes something "highly troubling" rather than just "troubling"?

The addition of "highly" intensifies the level of concern or disturbance. Something that is "highly troubling" is not just worrying, but exceptionally so, often indicating a significant ethical, moral, or practical problem.