1
as in hardship
something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal
the many difficulties that he encountered on the road from poor orphan to head of a major corporation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in complexity
something that makes a situation more complicated or difficult
there was a minor difficulty when we realized that the store had already closed
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in objection
a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent
the only difficulty I have with the dress is its color—does it come in anything besides purple?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in controversy
variance of opinion on a matter
the theologian's ongoing difficulties with the Vatican
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of difficulty
Fun mini-games, tons of content and a Challenge Mode that upgrades the difficulty for a second run through the story mean this is massive value for the money, especially at 57% off.
—
K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 28 May 2025
Greif: Indiana is on the verge of the NBA Finals by taking the path of most resistance, given the ridiculously high degree of difficulty of victories against Milwaukee, Cleveland and New York.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 28 May 2025
Certain fish that are caught are worth more points based on difficulty of catching them and other criteria.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Flip invented the Wheezer Scale for gauging the difficulty of hiking up hills.
—Flip Putthoff, Arkansas Online, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 28 May 2025
Greif: Indiana is on the verge of the NBA Finals by taking the path of most resistance, given the ridiculously high degree of difficulty of victories against Milwaukee, Cleveland and New York.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 28 May 2025
Certain fish that are caught are worth more points based on difficulty of catching them and other criteria.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Flip invented the Wheezer Scale for gauging the difficulty of hiking up hills.
—Flip Putthoff, Arkansas Online, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty
Noun
-
The Tower is not always an omen of hardship and struggle.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 June 2025
-
Vidal Banuelos said the restaurant never recovered from the financial hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
The cocktails here are a study in balance; the harsh edges of spirits are expertly rounded down by cordials, fruit wines, and other ferments (all of which are made in-house) without sacrificing complexity.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
6 June 2025
-
However, most voters don’t do complexity and nuance.—
Michael Graham,
Boston Herald,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Several Republicans have already expressed objections to the legislation as approved by the House.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 June 2025
-
Product joined to hear objections directly from the field.—
Aaron Biggs,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
However, California is far from the only state that saw its girls' track and field championships overshadowed by trans athlete controversy.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2025
-
Salgado’s pictures were also freighted with their fair share of controversy.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
Nacua said his father, who died when Nacua was a youngster, experienced complications from the disease.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
-
Another complication: any changes to the bill made by the Senate must be approved by the House, which narrowly sent the bill to the upper chamber by just one vote.—
John Parkinson,
ABC News,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
This law has been in place since 2014 and applies statewide, with exceptions for roles where background checks are mandated by statute.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
-
The exception was fourth-round receiver Jordan Watkins, who caught three passes — two from Purdy — in the practice.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Officials from the United States and China met in London to talk about a range of different disputes that are separating them.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
-
Phan was convicted of shooting up a high school graduation party after a dispute, killing an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old.—
Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
The complaint alleged the men locked O.C.G. in a room for several days and released him only after his sister paid a ransom.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 May 2025
-
In 2023, 20 students suffered from the rare condition when they were made to do over 400 push-ups as punishment, according to the complaint.—
Kate Linderman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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