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 Combining powerful themes of legacy, adversity, and motivation with a battle cry-like urgency, Hanumankind rouses the listener, rapping percussively over the beat of a Chenda, or traditional Keralan drum. Isha Sharma, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025 Hold up three fingers in the series' famous salute and it's understood as a sign of solidarity in the face of adversity. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025 Published in 1946 and translated into 50 languages with more than 16 million copies sold, Frankl’s account follows his time in the Nazi concentration camps and his exploration of the human will to find meaning in spite of unspeakable adversity. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2025 Just as a resilient football team bounces back from setbacks and finds ways to overcome adversity, a resilient organization must possess the same fortitude. Dana Berg, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adversity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversity
Noun
  • Miami’s misfortune with close games and big leads hasn’t dissuaded Spoelstra’s goal to maximize each possession and win every game, even if his roster is significantly different from five months ago.
    James Jackson, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Healthy bodies are the only thing that can make a difference at Madison Square Garden, but where there is great demand, misfortune would have it there is also a great shortage.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Borrowers have already faced enough confusion and hardship.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • While there are arguments that business cycle fluctuations and downturns can carry silver linings for some individuals or economic outcomes, these events come at the cost of others’ pain and hardship, Schwandt said.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • And that March, tragedy struck when three people died in a fatal crowd surge at her concert with Finesse2tymes in Rochester, N.Y.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The rush occurred mere weeks before Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach’s planned announcement of their spa updates; the tragedy in Los Angeles simply moved up the timeline for the quiet, coastal community’s merits as a luxury wellness hub.
    Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • But the scientists had difficulty following the animals through the island’s dense forests, and the surveys were limited to only certain parts of Mauritius.
    ByRefael Kubersky, science.org, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Each of the four categories is labeled with a color, which also signifies their difficulty level.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Adversity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversity. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on adversity

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