Synonyms of adversities

adversities

noun

plural of adversity

1

as in misfortunes

bad luck or an example of this

many people came face-to-face with life-altering adversity when the stock market crashed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• misfortunes
• tragedies
• hardships
• troubles
• mishaps
• ills
• disasters
• misadventures
• miseries
• trials
• circumstances
• calamities
• accidents
• catastrophes
• mischances
• sorrows
• disappointments
• fates
• sufferings
• knocks
• tribulations
• distresses
• woes
• evils
• blows
• afflictions
• setbacks
• failures
• defeats
• curses
• cataclysms
• destinies
• casualties
• dooms
• portions
• letdowns
• nonsuccesses
• body blows
• fizzles
• lots

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• opportunities
• luck
• fortunes
• chances
• strokes
• successes
• serendipities
• hits
• accomplishments
• achievements
• strikes
• breaks
• windfalls
• flukes
• godsends

2

as in hardships

something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal

some overcame all the adversities of the Great Depression and rebuilt their fortunes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hardships
• difficulties
• obstacles
• rigors
• trials
• asperities
• hurdles
• inconveniences
• discomforts
• misfortunes
• tribulations
• tragedies
• nuisances
• afflictions
• hindrances
• impediments
• mishaps
• obstructions
• handicaps
• interferences
• embarrassments
• snags
• shackles
• encumbrances
• deterrents
• inhibitions
• trammels
• hitches
• manacles
• lets
• chains
• knocks
• clogs
• rubs
• fetters
• crimps
• stops
• catches
• humps
• blocks
• pons asinorums
• checks
• bars

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• opportunities
• advantages
• breaks

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of adversities

Respondents experiencing more of these adversities were more likely to endorse white nationalism. — James Bisbee, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026

The Harvard Study of Adult Development, spanning nearly 80 years, shows that strong social bonds protect individuals from life's adversities, and are better predictors of long and happy lives than intelligence, genetics, and certainly money. — David H. Rosmarin, Time, 10 June 2026

What would be extremely helpful for business ventures to come is to know how all adversities and challenges were understood and overcome. — Paula De La Cruz, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

Children who have been adopted, have been placed into foster care, or have experienced significant adversities may need extra help to cope with what has happened to them in the past. — Dr. Andrew Garner, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026

Also, sharing stories of athletes dealing with similar adversities, Steinberg believes all readers should come away with this lesson learned. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026

After overcoming a series of adversities that hindered her preparations in the leadup to the Games, Masters came through with victory in the women's sprint sitting discipline in Para biathlon, finishing ahead of fellow American Kendall Gretsch. — CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026

The characters on this list go to war — whether real or imaginary — with their circumstances and find a way to turn their adversities into their advantage. — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026

Lately a nun, middle-aged Nora Breen moves into a boarding house in a seaside village, slowly healing from the adversities of World War II. — The Know, Denver Post, 30 Nov. 2025