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
Much of Moreas’s difficulty stems from a shrinking pool of skilled labor in the health care workforce.
—
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
On normal difficulty, the game is challenging, but manageable for anyone with a passing knowledge of the 3D action genre.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
That developer, the Amidi Real Estate Group, had difficulty obtaining construction financing and failed to break ground.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
The factory works with a complex double-twisted, gassed cotton fabric that large manufacturers refuse to handle due to its difficulty.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
On normal difficulty, the game is challenging, but manageable for anyone with a passing knowledge of the 3D action genre.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
That developer, the Amidi Real Estate Group, had difficulty obtaining construction financing and failed to break ground.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
The factory works with a complex double-twisted, gassed cotton fabric that large manufacturers refuse to handle due to its difficulty.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty
Noun
-
Other service members also said loans from the credit union, which is offering interest-free loans amid the shutdown, was standing between them and financial hardship.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
-
During this time, Chinese workers took up laundry work, which offered economic opportunity for the early immigrants despite legal and social hardships.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Analysts and financial experts have observed this growing trend among younger clients navigating the complexities of financial planning.—
Mark Davis,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
-
And imagining a world without our complexities and maladies was spirit expanding.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Even so, many artists choose to make such objections public so that a general audience is aware of their stance.—
Anastasia Tsioulcas,
NPR,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Cranston was not alone in his objections about Sora 2.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His political director quit the two-month-old campaign, and the candidate apologized — but now Platner is taking a rare, risky approach by leaning into the controversy.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Appointments follow months of policy controversy The appointments mark the next step taken by Sumner County conservatives to pass the controversial policy, which has seen substantial pushback for First Amendment concerns.—
Angele Latham,
Nashville Tennessean,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Preservé is only compatible with the Motiva SmoothSilk Ergonomix (teardrop-shaped) breast implants, which the FDA approved last year, following a lengthy clinical trial that demonstrated unprecedentedly low rates of complications.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
15 Oct. 2025
-
In an existential crisis triggered by critical illness or its complications, how does anyone restore emotional balance, chart a return to hope, or move towards acceptance?—
K.J.S. “Sunny” Anand,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The odds of a hurricane landfall in the US really dwindle at the end of October and into November, but there have been notable late-season exceptions.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Walmart is one of the exceptions that proves the rule.—
Mark Simon,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Musk later cited the pay dispute as part of the reason why Tesla shifted its corporate home to Texas from Delaware.—
Kara Carlson,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Here’s how a community dispute escalated into a deadly tragedy.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Difficulty concentrating is a common complaint among people experiencing SAD, Justin Puder, PhD, a psychologist based in Boca Raton, Florida, tells SELF.—
Maggie O'Neill,
SELF,
20 Oct. 2025
-
With her lawsuit, Ball is seeking damages for her injuries, pain and suffering, lost earnings, disfigurement, mental anguish and more, the complaint shows.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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