DIFFICULTIES Synonyms: 156 Similar and Opposite Words

difficulties

noun

plural of difficulty

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

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Relevance

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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

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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?

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as in controversies

variance of opinion on a matter the theologian's ongoing difficulties with the Vatican

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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 difficulties The Aerospace Corporation has been advancing a concept for a restartable solid rocket motor (RSRM), a propulsion configuration that has long posed engineering difficulties because conventional solid motors burn continuously once ignited and cannot be throttled or shut down mid-flight. —

Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 1 June 2026 There are difficulties to it, but there are also great rewards to it. —

Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 1 June 2026 Or the difficulties Frimpong and Wirtz faced in adapting to the rigours of a Premier League that seemed to become more physical and attritional overnight? —

Oliver Kay, New York Times, 31 May 2026 Isaji described the difficulties of such an endeavor. —

Jintamas Saksornchai, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026 Loper said many states are facing difficulties raising money for transportation and anticipate diminishing revenue from taxes on gas as efficiency continues to improve and as electric vehicles become more common. —

Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026 The book also alleged that, on occasion, staff members had to pay for certain expenses themselves due to Fergie’s financial difficulties. —

Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 30 May 2026 To work around these limitations, epidemiologists in the field have turned to broader-spectrum diagnostic kits and alternative rapid assays, though shortages of testing supplies and the logistical difficulties of operating in remote outbreak regions continue to hamper response efforts. —

Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 May 2026 He was seemingly born healthy, aside from minor breathing difficulties. —

Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulties

Noun

This documentary follows the recording during a six-day period in 2025 and, augmented by Bareilles’ trademark openness, expounds on the personal hardships and grief the songstress/actress endured the past several years.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 3 June 2026
This symbolized people of color in the LGBTQ+ community, and it was meant to draw attention to their unique hardships.

— Nicole Harris, Parents, 2 June 2026