1
as in misfortune
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hardship
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 adversity
Veteran reliever Alex Vesia addressed the criticism, emphasizing team belief and viewing current adversity as crucial preparation for the postseason.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
As a Holocaust survivor, my father knew about adversity and survival.
—
Karen McKinney,
Washington Post,
19 June 2026
Davis’ personal account of her own life features lessons on overcoming adversity, embracing your identity and the impact of radical honesty.
—
Janey Wetzel,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
The result is a five-man starting lineup that, together, navigated ups and downs, expectations and adversity, to become the kind of egoless, cohesive force this Knicks franchise hadn’t seen in five decades.
—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for adversity
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
As a Holocaust survivor, my father knew about adversity and survival.
—
Karen McKinney,
Washington Post,
19 June 2026
Davis’ personal account of her own life features lessons on overcoming adversity, embracing your identity and the impact of radical honesty.
—
Janey Wetzel,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
The result is a five-man starting lineup that, together, navigated ups and downs, expectations and adversity, to become the kind of egoless, cohesive force this Knicks franchise hadn’t seen in five decades.
—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for adversity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversity
Noun
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Repairing Furniture There are few misfortunes greater than scratching a new piece of dark wood furniture.
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The Italian’s misfortune opened the door for teammate Russell to snatch P2 while Lando Norris in the McLaren took home third place, forming the first all-British podium since 1968.
Noun
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The decrease in customers comes at a crucial time, after years of hardships for local restaurateurs.
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The town’s predicament highlights the limits of any ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, and the lingering hardship faced by residents whose lives have been upended by years of conflict.
Noun
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First a human scores a model’s outputs — say, how likely a character in a drama would be to react to news of a tragedy with a host of jokes or expressions of sympathy — going back with one score after another to various responses.
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The parents of the teen killed in the horse carriage crash in Central Park are remembering their son as rides resume a week after the tragedy.
Noun
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Patients face access issues, opaque pricing, surprise bills, fragmented records, and difficulty navigating payer networks, while providers are frustrated by the high administrative burden and challenges getting paid for quality care.
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Although my bridge remained smoother, I was left with one side of my nose collapsed, a droopy tip, and even breathing difficulties—my nasal passages always felt kind of clogged.
Cite this Entry
“Adversity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversity. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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