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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of adversities
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
Each track weaves together themes of resilience and triumph, forging a powerful connection with listeners who have faced their own adversities.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025
Sgarbossa makes sure to refer to the man himself, Pierre Balmain, and his resilience to adversities during tumultuous times, able to uplift women through fashion.
—Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
But his rendition of the history of the Axis of Resistance—from its birth out of necessity, to its success, to its present adversities—is largely accurate.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
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
Each track weaves together themes of resilience and triumph, forging a powerful connection with listeners who have faced their own adversities.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2025
Sgarbossa makes sure to refer to the man himself, Pierre Balmain, and his resilience to adversities during tumultuous times, able to uplift women through fashion.
—Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
But his rendition of the history of the Axis of Resistance—from its birth out of necessity, to its success, to its present adversities—is largely accurate.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversities
Noun
-
The Philadelphia singer-songwriter seeks out the mystical potential of quotidian misfortunes in a set of psychedelic-of-center bedroom pop songs.—
Lily Goldberg,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
-
But a staggering series of misfortunes – an arsonist destroyed her rental house; the private equity firm that owned the house still demanded two months’ rent and kept her security deposit; she was diagnosed with ovarian and breast cancer – forced her into tenuous housing situations.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Economic hardships are seen across the city, and these devices remove an option for many to make a living.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Shipwrecks are frequent along these routes, particularly in the western Mediterranean and Atlantic corridors, where thousands of migrants risk their lives each year fleeing conflict, poverty and climate-related hardships.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Recent horrific tragedies have demonstrated the urgent need to improve Cook County’s process for enforcing warrants, too.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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Less known, and more uncomfortable, is how some Democrats tend to go silent on the role that demonization from the left can play in these tragedies too.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The justices revealed their own difficulties navigating how much phones do now.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The Houston Texans have had difficulties getting beyond the wild-card round of the playoffs, which sometimes prompts some changes on a roster.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adversities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversities. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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