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
Brandsema explained that humans are born with one pool of motor neurons for life, and SMA slowly robs individuals of their motor neurons over time, leaving them with difficulty walking or running, holding up their heads, or even swallowing food and liquid safely.
—
Ciara McCarthy 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2026
During the next few months, the two took Preston to the hospital several times with health issues including breathing difficulties, a seizure, bruising to the head, and a fractured arm, the statement said.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
Keeping games close is something the 2024-25 Hawks had difficulty doing.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
For example, people with copper metabolism disorders, such as Wilson's disease, can have difficulty processing and eliminating copper from the body.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Ciara McCarthy 15, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2026
During the next few months, the two took Preston to the hospital several times with health issues including breathing difficulties, a seizure, bruising to the head, and a fractured arm, the statement said.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
Keeping games close is something the 2024-25 Hawks had difficulty doing.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
For example, people with copper metabolism disorders, such as Wilson's disease, can have difficulty processing and eliminating copper from the body.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty
Noun
-
The results paint a picture of a wealthy class increasingly eyeing the exits, not out of hardship, but out of strategic calculation.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
16 June 2026
-
The couples who navigate advanced prostate cancer most successfully aren’t the ones who avoid hardship.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Nursing home operators argued the state failed to properly account for the medical complexity of residents when calculating those payments, reducing reimbursement for facilities caring for some of the sickest patients.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
-
Discover how retailers are approaching complexity across planning, merchandising, pricing, sourcing and inventory management and why connected decision-making is becoming essential for profitable growth.—
SJ Studio,
Footwear News,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Referees did not blow the whistle for a foul on the play, despite forceful objections from the Knicks bench.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
-
Thanks to more than 200 years of intense and virtuoso scientific work, what were once valid or at least plausible concerns and objections to vaccines have been overcome.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Fitzpatrick is no stranger to controversy — or to making news.—
Noah Daly,
Idaho Statesman,
11 June 2026
-
But as El País reports, the basilica’s construction, which began 144 years ago, is famously unfinished, and for years controversy has stirred over an unrealized aspect of the design.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Serpell revels in all of the complications and contradictions of Toni Morrison, treating her subject with both reverence and even some skepticism and never settling for the easy conclusion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
When medication becomes a financial burden, adherence drops, and preventable complications rise.—
Nicole F. Roberts,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
But with the exception of one section near Clybourn Avenue, all of Ogden Avenue northeast of the Chicago River's North Branch was later eliminated.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
-
Rogers, of course, is one of the exceptions.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
That means this long-running dispute is going to rumble on for some time yet.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
-
In 2018, Kushner’s relationship with Videgaray was a crucial palliative, as the two men worked to resolve disputes behind the scenes.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The plot unraveled on June 11 when Proper's mother went to police with concerns about her son's behavior online, recent firearms purchases and plans to travel, according to a criminal complaint.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
The Patriots claim that Foxborough improperly charged them approximately $1 million in new administrative fees when, according to the complaint, the town only has state authorization to charge up to $100 per year to renew stadium entertainment licenses.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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