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
Relevance
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
Nostalgia only goes so far, especially when faced with the difficulties and costs that can come with an asset like a collectible car.
—
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 May 2026
He was seemingly born healthy, aside from minor breathing difficulties.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
Anxious attachment involves fear of abandonment, intense need for closeness, difficulty acting independently especially with major decisions, and preoccupation with relationships as a way to feel good about themselves.
—Emily Shiffer, Parents, 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
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 May 2026
He was seemingly born healthy, aside from minor breathing difficulties.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
Anxious attachment involves fear of abandonment, intense need for closeness, difficulty acting independently especially with major decisions, and preoccupation with relationships as a way to feel good about themselves.
—Emily Shiffer, Parents, 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
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty
Noun
-
Yes, that includes hardship, but also, there's joy, beauty, and warmth.—
Max Darrow,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
-
Outside the context of collective trauma, psychologists theorize that personal hardships can germinate into do-good behaviors later on, especially if the individual was the recipient of help during their struggle.—
Pauline Bartolone,
NPR,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
In addition, the Cruz-Cantwell bill proposes an agent registry system and a cap on agents’ commissions, an intriguing concept but one with legal complexity.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
27 May 2026
-
These five brands have become the backbone of most non-alcoholic cocktail programs because they’re crafted to mimic the body, heat and complexity of full-proof spirits.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
And as the district court pointed out, changing the venue to remedy the government's improper conduct — over Jacobs's objection — may not serve the interests of justice.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
-
The deepest objection to all of this is older than Silicon Valley.—
Ray Ravaglia,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The controversy is unfolding in the run-up to France’s 2027 presidential election, in which the far-right Rassemblement National is expected to be a frontrunner — a backdrop that has sharpened anxieties across the cultural sector about concentrated media power.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
27 May 2026
-
First, they are often judged only through narrow lenses like once a year test scores or political controversy, while the public overlooks the broader work schools do to help students feel safe, connected, healthy, and ready for life after graduation.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Five individuals have been hospitalized, and two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication that can lead to acute kidney failure.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
Patients with a history of pancreatitis, for example, should be counseled about potential complications, medical studies show.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 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
-
Much of the West remains warm and dry with the exception being parts of the Pacific Northwest as rain moves in by Monday afternoon across western Oregon and Washington, including the cities of Portland and Seattle.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
In 2023, Archer settled intellectual property disputes with Boeing and its air taxi unit Wisk, and signed an agreement to collaborate on autonomous tech, and invested in the air taxi maker.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
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Carney acknowledged that while the US and Canada have had disputes, the countries have always worked through them, and that a more independent Canada makes the country a better ally.—
Reuters May 28,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The investigative document, much of which is redacted, said the investigation was prompted by a 2024 anonymous complaint.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
27 May 2026
-
Another frightening similarity between today and the pre-1914 world is the conflation of complaints that Great Powers have against one another.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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