Synonym Chooser

How does the noun adversity differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of adversity are mischance, misfortune, and mishap. While all these words mean "adverse fortune or an instance of this," adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune.

had never experienced great adversity

When is it sensible to use mischance instead of adversity?

The words mischance and adversity are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance.

took the wrong road by mischance

When might misfortune be a better fit than adversity?

The meanings of misfortune and adversity largely overlap; however, misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress.

never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune

When can mishap be used instead of adversity?

The synonyms mishap and adversity are sometimes interchangeable, but mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck.

the usual mishaps of a family vacation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of adversity The only way to overcome adversity is working hard. Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025 Yang does not deliver happily-ever-after stories but powerful accounts of resilience in the face of adversity. Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025 And he’s overcome so much adversity with his knee injury last year. Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025 Overcoming adversity has become synonymous with the Red Rangers. Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adversity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversity
Noun
  • Agnes no doubt spent an enormous time wallowing in her misfortune, but that’s not the picture Victor is presenting here.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025
  • That success, Benicio said, has attracted at least one scammer attempting to capitalize on his family’s misfortune.
    Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Trump did not rule out the possibility of economic hardship, arguing that the economy and the U.S. population will have to adjust to the changes being made.
    Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 9 Mar. 2025
  • One of the main indicators of the increasing hardship was the price of eggs, which hit an all-time high shortly after Trump's inauguration in January.
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In the first section of the book, Franklin repeatedly brings historical analysis, primary sources and Anne Frank’s writing into juxtaposition with each other in a way that both illuminates Anne Frank as an individual and the larger tragedy of the Holocaust.
    John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The case was the first to establish a link between toxic waste in the atmosphere and birth defects, and the show follows the story of four mothers dealing with the tragedy.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Special Education: Most Vulnerable Students Affected Special education represents the most severe shortage area, with 98% of school districts reporting difficulty filling these positions.
    Scott White, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • What's better, most of the best drip coffee machines on this list have a lower difficulty rating than your toaster oven.
    Matthew Korfhage, WIRED, 7 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Adversity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversity. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on adversity

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