1
as in hardships
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in complications
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 objections
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 controversies
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 difficulties
However, some, like Kit (who asked to be identified only by her first name, citing the nature of her work), still encounter difficulties thanks to the number of women hired for certain clubs.
—
Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 25 May 2026
He was seemingly born healthy, aside from minor breathing difficulties.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
Faced with additional and increasing difficulties, some international students are putting together backup plans.
—Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 24 May 2026
That’s no way to lead a nation through the hazards and difficulties of war.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 24 May 2026
To cope with mounting economic difficulties, Putin instructed the government to raise taxes.
—Anna Nemtsova, Time, 23 May 2026
The mental health domain is also a realm that encounters imbalance difficulties.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
The condition affects children's development, and may cause difficulties with movement, speech, reading or writing.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 23 May 2026
Research has linked untreated hearing loss to social withdrawal, workplace difficulties, and cognitive health concerns later in life.
—Matthew Kayser, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 25 May 2026
He was seemingly born healthy, aside from minor breathing difficulties.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
Faced with additional and increasing difficulties, some international students are putting together backup plans.
—Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 24 May 2026
That’s no way to lead a nation through the hazards and difficulties of war.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 24 May 2026
To cope with mounting economic difficulties, Putin instructed the government to raise taxes.
—Anna Nemtsova, Time, 23 May 2026
The mental health domain is also a realm that encounters imbalance difficulties.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
The condition affects children's development, and may cause difficulties with movement, speech, reading or writing.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 23 May 2026
Research has linked untreated hearing loss to social withdrawal, workplace difficulties, and cognitive health concerns later in life.
—Matthew Kayser, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulties
Noun
-
The statement opened by warning that worsening hardships on the island are affecting Caribbean nationals studying and living there, and are being exacerbated by the United States’ decades-long embargo.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2026
-
In the harsh winter of 1777-78, amidst the immense hardships faced by the Continental Army at Valley Forge, many believe Washington knelt in a moment of solitary prayer, seeking guidance and strength from God.—
Neda Ulaby,
NPR,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Patients with a history of pancreatitis, for example, should be counseled about potential complications, medical studies show.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
-
While the complications of the relationship between Merril and Raquel are not always terribly clear in the script, both Marquis and Adame find strong chemistry as the story pulses forward.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Beyer’s criticism adds to a growing list of objections surrounding the project.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
27 May 2026
-
Prospective candidates will likely face objections, a ballot process where the legitimacy of signatures is formally challenged.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
The criticism of this process is reminiscent of more momentous controversies in the traditional financial world, where small groups of traders had the power to swing much bigger markets.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
-
Cornyn is also backed by the campaign arm of Senate Republicans and many of his Senate colleagues have stood by his side despite the president's endorsement, citing their belief that Paxton’s past controversies could put this safe Republican seat at risk.—
Diana Paulsen,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
James Gray revisits his own past, and some of his favorite themes — the complexities of brotherhood, 1980s New York, loss of innocence — in Paper Tiger.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
26 May 2026
-
But even then, there are plenty of complexities.—
Serenity Gibbons,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Two exceptions to that rule are Chase Ultimate Rewards® and Wells Fargo Rewards, which both allow point transfers (with the right credit card) and 1-cent-per-point cash redemptions via statement credits or deposits into eligible bank accounts.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
25 May 2026
-
Remer drills his students on roots, language patterns and the exceptions to those patterns.—
Ben Nuckols,
Fortune,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
The launch also reflects China’s broader push to strengthen domestic energy resilience as import-dependent economies face continued risks from shipping disruptions, sanctions disputes, and instability across global oil markets.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
28 May 2026
-
Ali had refused to take a public stance on the diplomatic disputes.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Whether Glasner was justified or not in his complaints, a prolonged period of poor form, stretching back well over a month, coupled with his outbursts, led to questions over his future.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
The mounting complaints about Joanna Landau, the agency’s new executive director, came to a head during a two-hour public meeting attended by more than 200 people late Friday afternoon, just before the start of the three-day holiday weekend.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Difficulties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulties. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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