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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversities
Noun
-
Repairing Furniture There are few misfortunes greater than scratching a new piece of dark wood furniture.—
Joey Skladany,
Southern Living,
17 June 2026
-
Farmers markets — that humble and charming throwback to a bygone era — are also struggling with higher fuel prices, after weathering the economic calamities of the pandemic and other misfortunes.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Those were fun times despite the financial hardships.—
Barton Goldsmith,
AJC.com,
17 June 2026
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Many of the same hardships simultaneously confronted the city’s Black community.—
Michael Peregrine,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
That could’ve been it for the Allman Brothers, but Gregg recovered and the bruised band soldiered on through a series of further tragedies, including the death of bassist Berry Oakley, also in a motorcycle crash, in 1972.—
Steve Bloom,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2026
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Known for shows like Eastbound & Down and the Righteous Gemstones, McBride brings his comedic genius to this debut short story collection that tells the stories of men coping with life’s tragedies, both big and small.—
Caroline Reilly,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Noun
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Defying those difficulties, Alex Vlack’s The Revisionist, a Tribeca world premiere, gives us not one but four main characters who are published or aspiring writers.—
Stephen Farber,
HollywoodReporter,
15 June 2026
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If not treated, the child can experience a progressive paralysis that can lead to breathing difficulties and require weeks of hospitalization.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adversities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversities. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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