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
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
Just as enterprising librarians and archivists met the difficulties of their day with novel solutions, now a new generation looked for ways to adapt to the overflow.
—
Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
On Friday, Hoda Kotb, who co-anchored TODAY with Savannah from 2017 until January 2025, returned to the show to talk about the worry the team feels for their friend, and all the times Savannah has been there for them while facing their own difficulties.
—Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026
For all the difficulties of being an independent filmmaker, what keeps you doing it?
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Stewart has immediate experience with the difficulties of repeating.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Ingrid is arguably the character having the most difficulties with the contemporary world, where the princess getup is part of her job.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
Elon Musk believes the best way to solve the difficulties of building AI data centers on earth is to move them into outer space.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
The outlook worsened after a report that Nvidia's deal with OpenAI to invest as much as $100 billion was facing difficulties, Hickey said.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
Chemical irritants affect the eyes, skin and lungs first, causing scratches to the surface of the eye, painful skin reactions, breathing difficulties and acute psychological distress.
—Michele Heisler, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
On Friday, Hoda Kotb, who co-anchored TODAY with Savannah from 2017 until January 2025, returned to the show to talk about the worry the team feels for their friend, and all the times Savannah has been there for them while facing their own difficulties.
—Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026
For all the difficulties of being an independent filmmaker, what keeps you doing it?
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Stewart has immediate experience with the difficulties of repeating.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Ingrid is arguably the character having the most difficulties with the contemporary world, where the princess getup is part of her job.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
Elon Musk believes the best way to solve the difficulties of building AI data centers on earth is to move them into outer space.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
The outlook worsened after a report that Nvidia's deal with OpenAI to invest as much as $100 billion was facing difficulties, Hickey said.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
Chemical irritants affect the eyes, skin and lungs first, causing scratches to the surface of the eye, painful skin reactions, breathing difficulties and acute psychological distress.
—Michele Heisler, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulties
Noun
-
In the basement of the headquarters, amid columns wrapped with green vines and yellow flowers, center director Martha Arevalo spoke about the hardships her organization has faced.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
In normal times, leaders might hesitate to impose that kind of moral weight on employees already living through the hardships of a global crisis.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
By law, mothers can take up to 90 days of leave for a single baby with no complications, and fathers are afforded 20 days.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
More Effective Ways to Ease a Stomach Bug While there’s no quick cure for viral gastroenteritis, supportive care can make stomach flu symptoms more manageable and reduce the risk of complications like dehydration.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Supreme Court, over the objections of the three liberal justices, allowed Texas to use the map while the litigation continues.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
But once the request for qualification statements was posted, some of those providers raised strenuous objections.—
Suzanne King,
Kansas City Star,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Despite earlier controversies, alumni and supporters rallied, leading to over 22,000 gifts in a six-week period.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
1 Feb. 2026
-
His reflections on the controversies and critical snubbings that greeted movies that have since become consensus masterpieces are nuanced without descending into false modesty.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
However, your interest in gritty prestige crime dramas that expose the socioeconomic complexities and ethical ambiguities within the justice system?—
Talia Argondezzi,
New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma Season 2 saw romance ensue between the eldest Bridgerton, Anthony, and Kate Sharma—but not without some complexities.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The courts have granted exceptions to search without a search warrant and each specific incident should be reviewed based on its facts.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Because the government has halted refugee programs, with a few exceptions, IRIS has no new refugees – people who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, violence or persecution – to help settle.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At least five competing proposals have emerged from major coalitions, several of which have fractured in recent days as internal disputes deepened.—
JACQUELINE CHARLES MIAMI HERALD,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
At least five competing proposals have emerged from major coalitions, several of which have fractured in recent days as internal disputes deepened.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
After days of deliberations, the House justice committee voted to dismiss the impeachment complaints filed by left-wing activists and a lawyer against Marcos.—
JIM GOMEZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
-
America First Legal, cofounded by senior White House adviser Stephen Miller, has peppered top companies with dozens of discrimination complaints and posted on social media seeking more White people to file legal claims.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Difficulties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulties. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
