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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of difficulty
Despite the difficulties that stemmed from the rare diagnosis, doctors pronounced Louise cancer-free following the November 2023 surgery.
—
Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
The difficulty was organically blending a monkey with an eagle.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 6 Jan. 2025
Of the 170 starters, only 74 competitors managed to cross the finish line – a testament to the difficulty of the rally.
—New Atlas, 6 Jan. 2025
Chair Pilates may be a good option for people with difficulty getting up from the floor after a mat workout.
—Amy Kwan, Verywell Health, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for difficulty 
Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
The difficulty was organically blending a monkey with an eagle.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 6 Jan. 2025
Of the 170 starters, only 74 competitors managed to cross the finish line – a testament to the difficulty of the rally.
—New Atlas, 6 Jan. 2025
Chair Pilates may be a good option for people with difficulty getting up from the floor after a mat workout.
—Amy Kwan, Verywell Health, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for difficulty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty
Noun
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Volunteering or creating a nonprofit will help those around you who are going through hardship.Essence, Essence, 7 Jan. 2025
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Dunnett said the event provides cancer patients and their families with a day to have fun and enjoy Great America, and to be around other families who are going through the same hardships.Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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There were also financial dynamics that added complexity to the pursuits.Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025
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When a system fails you—when your taxes go up, when your claim is denied, when your hydrants run dry—the complexity of the system is no consolation.Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The film has been criticized for trafficking in clichés and gender stereotypes, for equating transitioning with death, for presenting it as a kind of moral redemption, for making older cisgender audiences feel virtuous by endorsing it, among other objections.Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Jan. 2025
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And appeals courts have upheld the gag order over Trump’s First Amendment objections.Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Whatever the controversy, these Thanksgiving stories will slake your appetite!JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 8 Jan. 2025
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The controversy surrounding Emilia Perez comes in stark contrast to the positive reception of Wicked.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The cause of death was listed as complications recovering from surgery.Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
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In 2012, Cruz suffered a torn ACL that required surgery, but complications arose when his body rejected the replacement ligament from a cadaver, leaving him on the shelf for several additional months after having to undergo a second surgery.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This level of funding is sure to be disruptive to the pro game; rumors are that dozens of PPA exclusive pros are inquiring about availability exceptions for this event already.Todd Boss, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
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Even the protections that preserve the park where de la Torre works contain exceptions for oil companies and Indigenous communities, and wildlife hunting is still rampant.Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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City officials did not say what set off the dispute.Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025
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This firsthand legal dispute inspired her to become an advocate for female inventors, educating others on the importance of filing for IP protection. ForbesWomen: Get the ForbesWomen newsletter, and supercharge your mission with success stories, tips and more.Karin Eldor, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Police confirmed on Monday that no investigation had yet been launched, but the complaint would be assessed.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
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The information in my complaint was from a long-ago completed investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near difficulty
Cite this Entry
“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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