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
Sánchez’s left-wing government is facing difficulties, including corruption scandals, while more conservative voices, such as the nationalist-populist right-wing party Vox, are rising in popularity.
—
Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
These mound hurlers had six-weeks of spring training to work out their issues and pitching difficulties.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 June 2026
As schools grapple with how to police AI use among students and how to use it educationally, researchers also warn the technology could compound learning difficulties by offloading students’ cognitive efforts.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 8 June 2026
Black, Hispanic and Indigenous children are more vulnerable to asthma than white children, which might reflect high levels of allergens where some families live or difficulties in getting effective care.
—Dr. Daniel Digiacomo, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
Parkinson's can also cause mental and behavioral changes, sleep problems, depression, memory difficulties and fatigue.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
The mix of difficulties and rising land costs have some farming families looking at things differently.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 4 June 2026
His center has specialized in offering spiritual healing for priests troubled by various difficulties.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
More specifically, researchers have warned that mouth taping could be dangerous for people with nasal obstruction, potentially increasing the risk of breathing difficulties or asphyxiation, especially since many studies excluded patients with existing nasal issues.
—Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
These mound hurlers had six-weeks of spring training to work out their issues and pitching difficulties.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 June 2026
As schools grapple with how to police AI use among students and how to use it educationally, researchers also warn the technology could compound learning difficulties by offloading students’ cognitive efforts.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 8 June 2026
Black, Hispanic and Indigenous children are more vulnerable to asthma than white children, which might reflect high levels of allergens where some families live or difficulties in getting effective care.
—Dr. Daniel Digiacomo, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
Parkinson's can also cause mental and behavioral changes, sleep problems, depression, memory difficulties and fatigue.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
The mix of difficulties and rising land costs have some farming families looking at things differently.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 4 June 2026
His center has specialized in offering spiritual healing for priests troubled by various difficulties.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
More specifically, researchers have warned that mouth taping could be dangerous for people with nasal obstruction, potentially increasing the risk of breathing difficulties or asphyxiation, especially since many studies excluded patients with existing nasal issues.
—Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulties
Noun
-
Others spoke to financial hardships, like the desire to buy a home or keep a job.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
The grants will help owners pay for kitchen equipment upgrades, technology improvements, employee training, retention and recovery from hardships.—
Samantha Gowen,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Last year, when actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their New Mexico home, authorities determined that Arakawa had died by complications caused by the hantavirus, with evidence of rodents on the property.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
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Lastly, teams that play their group stage matches in Philadelphia could face additional complications because Philadelphia’s nonresident wage tax rate is tied to the city’s fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30, according to Greenback Expat Tax Services.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Referees did not blow the whistle for a foul on the play, despite forceful objections from the Knicks bench.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
-
So why have these objections remained so potent?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Located opposite the balcony where King was shot, the museum’s new Legacy Experience focuses, with urgency, on the modern era, with its controversies over immigration and Black Lives Matter activism.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
And other controversies, like the war in Iran, have overtaken the immigration policy debate.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
As complexities increase, that crossroads of simplicity and safety will continue to be a focal point — and tools like those created by CyberFOX will continue to stand out for maintaining ease of use, adaptability, and scalability, all without compromising on strong security.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
Featuring firsthand accounts from Gypsy Rose, Dee Dee's father, and other relatives, this shocking narrative will leave you questioning the depths of human desperation and the complexities of justice and morality.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Rogers, of course, is one of the exceptions.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Islamic law requires the deceased to be buried as soon as possible, and ideally within 24 hours of death, but exceptions are allowed, for example in time of war.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
After initially dividing last month on whether to continue contracts that include two senior services providers that had engaged in disputes with the county, the OC Board of Supervisors agreed this week to extend the funding.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
-
Cleveland’s second term was dominated by an economic crisis, due to the Panic of 1893, along with labor disputes.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
More complaints, from at home and abroad, will likely come.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
-
Please feel welcome to direct your thoughts and complaints to the comments section.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Difficulties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulties. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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