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
The Boston Police Crime Lab has had difficulty meeting the 30-day deadline in past years.
—
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
According to data cited in QBE North America’s report on fraud prevention, 42% of fraud cases involve employees living beyond their means, while 26% involve employees experiencing direct financial difficulties.
—Dr. Melissa Weathersby, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
However, lovers’ quarrels or difficulty dealing with children (hissy fits or meltdowns) might occur.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
Andrew Apsley, an English teacher in Utah, said a video was sent to his 19-year-old child, who has autism and has difficulty processing emotions.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
According to data cited in QBE North America’s report on fraud prevention, 42% of fraud cases involve employees living beyond their means, while 26% involve employees experiencing direct financial difficulties.
—Dr. Melissa Weathersby, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
However, lovers’ quarrels or difficulty dealing with children (hissy fits or meltdowns) might occur.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
Andrew Apsley, an English teacher in Utah, said a video was sent to his 19-year-old child, who has autism and has difficulty processing emotions.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty
Noun
-
National data show that Native students face disproportionate barriers in higher education, including financial hardship, geographic isolation, and cultural alienation at mainstream institutions.—
Marybeth Gasman,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Keating faced her own share of hardship.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Students who learn to navigate real-world complexity—whether through apprenticeships, startups, or hands-on projects—may end up better prepared.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Even so, the article noted that tips for plumbers should start at about $20 for tasks like drain cleaning but increase with the complexity of the job.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Participants met with the Hawks’ sales leadership for two hours every Friday, with lessons covering scheduling appointments, working through objections, and using and developing sales scripts.—
Ryan Stowers,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Nearly every question and observation drew objections from prosecutors.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Purdy has his share of critics, and such critics may claim that continued fine play from Jones could set up a bit of a quarterback controversy in San Francisco.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Skip to content One summer in Brooklyn, a controversy broke out in my dog-park group chat.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Another couple, Taylor and Bryan McClain, also came to rely on Soliman when their newborn, Violette, arrived at Cincinnati Children’s last year with life-threatening complications.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Armani was an intensely private man but had a longstanding personal relationship with his business partner, the architect, fashion designer and businessman Sergio Galeotti, who died of complications from AIDS in 1985.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The narrow exception to free speech that the Justice Department can prosecute is incitement or threats of imminent harm, but these exceptions are incredibly limited.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
-
When exceptions arise, who has the authority—and the context—to decide?—
Matthew Sweeney,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The dispute was heard by an arbitrator (and not a judge) because, per SPAC language and accompanying NBPA regulations, player-agent disputes are subject to arbitration.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The dishwasher was made in America, though there is some dispute over who did it.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Participating buyers agree to purchase produce from farms that adhere to the program’s stringent set of protections for workers, let workers be informed about their rights by the CIW and allow independent auditors to investigate complaints from their fields.—
Max Blau,
ProPublica,
16 Sep. 2025
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Penske’s complaint argues that practice isn’t a fair exchange and has caused significant financial harm, with the company’s affiliate revenue falling by more than a third (as a result of Google’s AI Overviews co-opting traffic that might have otherwise gone to Penske outlets).—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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