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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun adversity differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of adversity are mischance, misfortune, and mishap. While all these words mean "adverse fortune or an instance of this," adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune.

had never experienced great adversity

When is it sensible to use mischance instead of adversity?

The words mischance and adversity are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance.

took the wrong road by mischance

When might misfortune be a better fit than adversity?

The meanings of misfortune and adversity largely overlap; however, misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress.

never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune

When can mishap be used instead of adversity?

The synonyms mishap and adversity are sometimes interchangeable, but mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck.

the usual mishaps of a family vacation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of adversity The Cougars stay together through adversity. Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025 Football coaches like to see how their teams respond to adversity, and the University of San Diego was exposed to some on Saturday. Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025 However, adversity came knocking when Dyer was diagnosed with breast cancer, and battled it for a second time during COVID in 2022. Essence, 24 Oct. 2025 That’s why our team members keep their eyes on the bigger picture, and push forward in the face of adversity. Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adversity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversity
Noun
  • Circumstances favoured them, but Bowen’s early misfortune and a West Ham penalty award which was overturned by VAR scarcely influenced them.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Several reasons were to blame for the scary-low turnout, including a dearth of new releases as well as the misfortune of Halloween landing on a Friday, which meant families were distracted by trick-or-treating.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • As one of six siblings raised by a single mother, Blatt has dealt with her share of hardships.
    Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Frohling said some in the jury pool may face hardships, such as illness, death or travel, which could potentially excuse them.
    John Diedrich, jsonline.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Ege didn’t know it at the time, but the tragedy that happened to Musyoka has been playing out across the nation as pedestrian deaths near a four-decade high.
    Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Burma’s plight is not just a domestic tragedy but echoes across the globe.
    Kim Aris, Time, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Aid organizations also face mounting difficulty reaching affected populations.
    ARIF HUSAIN, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Party leaders including Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries continue blaming Republicans for the looming premium spikes and other shutdown ripples, but the standoff’s sudden end underscores the difficulty of maintaining Democrats’ fragile and fractious coalition.
    Fortune, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Adversity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversity. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on adversity

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