1
as in hardships
something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal
the many difficulties that he encountered on the road from poor orphan to head of a major corporation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in complications
something that makes a situation more complicated or difficult
there was a minor difficulty when we realized that the store had already closed
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in objections
a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent
the only difficulty I have with the dress is its color—does it come in anything besides purple?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in controversies
variance of opinion on a matter
the theologian's ongoing difficulties with the Vatican
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of difficulties
The report noted girls in several countries cited difficulties around contraception access and agency in their decision-making around this.
—
Carlotta Dotto, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Autism symptoms in adults often include social communication difficulties, restricted and repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities.
—Laura Dorwart, Health, 29 Sep. 2025
This included the emotional and strategic difficulties involved with the departures of senior team leaders depart and overhauling structural models, some of them established over many years.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025
Journalists and filmmakers and cinema itself are facing growing political threats and increasing difficulties, according to film industry reps at the Zurich Summit on Saturday.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025
But 2025 also presents new difficulties.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
If teams are on a bus or train that's experiencing difficulties, unfortunately, they aren't given a boost to compensate for the breakdown.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Jacqueline Stein didn’t have any difficulties getting pregnant.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
In the nearly two decades since Hairspray premiered, cast members have shared the difficulties with their auditions.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
Carlotta Dotto, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Autism symptoms in adults often include social communication difficulties, restricted and repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities.
—Laura Dorwart, Health, 29 Sep. 2025
This included the emotional and strategic difficulties involved with the departures of senior team leaders depart and overhauling structural models, some of them established over many years.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025
Journalists and filmmakers and cinema itself are facing growing political threats and increasing difficulties, according to film industry reps at the Zurich Summit on Saturday.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025
But 2025 also presents new difficulties.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2025
If teams are on a bus or train that's experiencing difficulties, unfortunately, they aren't given a boost to compensate for the breakdown.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Jacqueline Stein didn’t have any difficulties getting pregnant.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
In the nearly two decades since Hairspray premiered, cast members have shared the difficulties with their auditions.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulties
Noun
-
What began as frustration with daily hardships quickly grew into demands for political change and systemic reform.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
But Russia’s strategic position, China’s global priorities and Venezuela’s hardships all make that unlikely right now.—
Joseph J. Gonzalez,
The Conversation,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Even with a low fatality rate, the virus can cause lasting complications, including brain damage, neurological problems, and blindness.—
Suhail Bhat,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
-
People with severe myopia have a higher risk of sight-threatening complications that can lead to even poorer vision.—
Sheah Rarback,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Reviewing pages have been thinned by the forces of history and technology; few Pynchon skeptics anymore bother to take the time to read the novels and register their objections.—
Book Marks
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
-
As the administration takes aim at vessels in the Caribbean, senators and lawmakers of both major political parties have raised stark objections.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Will Lazarus have the stomach for uncomfortable political speech controversies that come with running an ideological media company like MSNBC?—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
28 Sep. 2025
-
The former football star played just two seasons in the NFL before his off-the-field controversies like drug use and domestic violence accusations portrayed him as a liability to teams.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Today, Jose Cuervo is the largest tequila producer in the world, and its historic distillery, in the eponymous town of Tequila, offers a fascinating look at the drink’s complexities.—
David Shortell,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Sep. 2025
-
What are the difficulties and complexities of family bonds?—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One option would require universal permitting, meaning every business that emits the five toxics would need a permit, and another proposal would require universal permitting with some exceptions.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
30 Sep. 2025
-
There have been exceptions, of course, like Dario Vitale’s divisive first collection for Versace, which had the merit of placing the brand at the center of conversation.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
King Charles' younger son initiated the litigation in October 2019, signaling a shift in his approach to the British press — a stark departure from the royal family’s historic restraint regarding media disputes.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The lawsuit follows a series of high-profile disputes over how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its subagency FEMA distribute homeland security grants.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Of all the places in the world, no complaints.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The decision to place Hauck on leave followed three complaints accusing him of inappropriate speech on multiple occasions, according to records received via a Freedom of Information Act request.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difficulties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulties. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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