1
as in hardships
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 complications
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 objections
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 controversies
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 difficulties
In the nearly two decades since Hairspray premiered, cast members have shared the difficulties with their auditions.
—
Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
Some people, particularly those with latex allergies due to cross-reactivity, may also experience allergic reactions to the fruit such as throat itching, lip or tongue swelling, hives or even breathing difficulties.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Rather than simply reflecting pre-existing social and romantic struggles, dating apps can also intensify these difficulties through dating app burnout — a cycle of disappointment, rejection and emotional exhaustion.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The case has sparked a wider discussion about Coinbase's customer services, with several users recounting on social media their difficulties receiving assistance from the company to regain access to their accounts and troubleshoot other issues.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
Adding in-person interview requirements would likely lead to difficulties for those with little means of traveling, and the farming industry has called for a modernized approach to ensure continued workforce levels.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
What do the three of you value most when overcoming great difficulties?
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2025
Fathers spoke of feeling abandoned by the government and the difficulties of getting help.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
This feature was somewhat infamously promised as part of last year's release but got bumped back after development difficulties.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
Some people, particularly those with latex allergies due to cross-reactivity, may also experience allergic reactions to the fruit such as throat itching, lip or tongue swelling, hives or even breathing difficulties.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Rather than simply reflecting pre-existing social and romantic struggles, dating apps can also intensify these difficulties through dating app burnout — a cycle of disappointment, rejection and emotional exhaustion.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The case has sparked a wider discussion about Coinbase's customer services, with several users recounting on social media their difficulties receiving assistance from the company to regain access to their accounts and troubleshoot other issues.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
Adding in-person interview requirements would likely lead to difficulties for those with little means of traveling, and the farming industry has called for a modernized approach to ensure continued workforce levels.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
What do the three of you value most when overcoming great difficulties?
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2025
Fathers spoke of feeling abandoned by the government and the difficulties of getting help.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
This feature was somewhat infamously promised as part of last year's release but got bumped back after development difficulties.
—ArsTechnica, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulties
Noun
-
For Nguyen, the name is especially poignant as the project survived significant personal and professional hardships in 2023 and 2024.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Local people, aid workers and rebel leaders told CNN the fighting and the hardships caused by it continue.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The American Kennel Club suggests that dachshunds shouldn’t be allowed to run up and down stairs, or to climb on and off furniture, as this may cause unnecessary injuries or complications.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
-
But doctors say the shot’s benefit lies in its ability to reduce the chance the infection will lead to severe complications and death.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
On one side are evangelistic followers of the Temperance movement, whose objections to the Guinness family don’t really need to be explained.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Some of the strongest objections, in fact, came from Elton John.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This week’s Club Sportico looks at a football legend with a long list of personal and professional controversies.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Officiating controversies were a theme that day, especially on Philadelphia’s short-yardage plays.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Conversely, the categorization system behind the Cato Institute’s study disregards the complexities of some cases that have multiple motivations to consider, including an adherence to incel ideology.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Second, these conversions come with legal, operational and ongoing management complexities.—
Steve Hruby,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
That type of change, however, might attract opposition from lawmakers who have reservations about carving out antitrust exceptions for select companies and businesses.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
23 Sep. 2025
-
However, Johnson said these exceptions are narrowly defined.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Local spats could now feed into a mass movement that spread far beyond individual disputes between a peasant and a particularly nasty abbot or lord.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Sep. 2025
-
India also has border disputes with China, whose foreign ministers recently met in New Delhi for talks.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One of our complaints about the original Max was the inability to save settings as presets.—
Craig Wilson,
PC Magazine,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The president linked his broader complaints about the United Nations to the building's renovation.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difficulties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulties. Accessed 28 Sep. 2025.
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