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
The book, which spans the twenty-odd years of Mii’s life, describes the daily joys and intimacies of having a pet, the difficulties that come with an aging cat, and the sorrows of outliving one’s animal companion.
—
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Symptoms include balance and coordination difficulties, confusion, and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
—Brigid Dwyer, Verywell Health, 31 Mar. 2025
Both locations appear to be on land overseen by the California Department of Transportation, and the fires highlight the difficulties of keeping Caltrans property free of encampments when there are few places for homeless people to go.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
My challenges and my obstacles and my difficulties are actually divine curriculum.
—Delano Massey, Axios, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Symptoms include balance and coordination difficulties, confusion, and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
—Brigid Dwyer, Verywell Health, 31 Mar. 2025
Both locations appear to be on land overseen by the California Department of Transportation, and the fires highlight the difficulties of keeping Caltrans property free of encampments when there are few places for homeless people to go.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
My challenges and my obstacles and my difficulties are actually divine curriculum.
—Delano Massey, Axios, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty
Noun
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The book has the spirit of other King coming-of-age stories, following boys who prevail amid hardship and despair ala the characters in Stand by Me and It.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2025
-
The Tower is not always an omen of hardship and struggle.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Adding to the complexity was that four of the five counts that were left standing involve violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Even accounting for the scale, scope and complexity of the project and the need to satisfy two different London councils, there is a distinct possibility that planning permission could be granted before the end of 2025.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Schumer has received backlash since helping to avert a government shutdown by aiding the Republicans in passing their stopgap spending plan over the objection of the majority of his fellow Democratic Senators and House Democrats.—
Rebecca Schneid,
TIME,
23 Mar. 2025
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Home demolished During winter break at the University of Idaho, a demolition began of the home where the murders took place, over the objections of some of the victims' family members.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA TODAY,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But even without the political controversy, Tesla is facing headwinds due to growing competition from other automakers, particularly those in China.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2025
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Plus, there’s no shortage of controversy in modern politics—use this recipe as a starting point for your own cheeky and timely dessert.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In her life off-screen, Moore struggled with complications from living with type 1 diabetes.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Anxiety and mood changes Mood shifts, including irritability, frustration, or difficulty dealing with life’s complications, often come up during perimenopause, Dr. Horst says.—
Erica Sweeney,
SELF,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Rather than being an exception, this is a relatively standard expectation in tech startups.—
Abdo Riani,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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The exception to this rule is reblooming varieties such as Endless Summer® and 'White Wedding', which bloom on both old and new growth.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In a press conference Friday, Atlanta Police Department homicide commander Lt. Andrew Smith said that officers responded to a dispute with a weapon Friday, which was Young Scooter's 39th birthday.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2025
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Representation has occurred in litigation, intellectual property negotiations, labor and employment disputes, mergers and acquisitions, stadium financing deals and assorted other matters.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Historian Heather Cox Richardson, in her regular post for March 30, notes a similar procession of this complaint.—
Peter Greene,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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The complaint was filed to address these issues and their valid trademark.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
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