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
Frustration station The 11 members of Park Forest’s Civic Leadership Academy got an earful and then some last Friday from two members of the state legislature who discussed the difficulties of getting anything done in Springfield.
—
Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
From misrepresentation about what the food actually is to difficulties with the accessibility of certain ingredients, many Japanese restaurants fail to get established and scale up.
—William Jones, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
However, this is an almost perfect day to patch up difficulties with family members.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
People seeking support often present with overlapping challenges such as anxiety, OCD, depression, trauma histories, chronic stress or relationship difficulties.
—Gwilym Roddick, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
First, the team’s difficulties in trying to play well and win, and second, the injuries that are continuing to pile up before Wednesday’s Champions League round of 16 first leg at home against Manchester City.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Ulf Laessing, with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, said Friday's attack on Ngoshe took advantage of the Nigerian army’s difficulties in controlling large swaths of the country where jihadi groups operate.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Ulf Laessing, with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, said Friday’s attack on Ngoshe took advantage of the Nigerian army’s difficulties in controlling large swaths of the country where jihadi groups operate.
—Dyepkazah Shibayan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Travelers are advised to check with their airline or travel agent as soon as possible for information on rebooking and refunds, though passengers are reporting difficulties getting assistance because of high caller volumes.
—Karla Cripps, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
From misrepresentation about what the food actually is to difficulties with the accessibility of certain ingredients, many Japanese restaurants fail to get established and scale up.
—William Jones, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
However, this is an almost perfect day to patch up difficulties with family members.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
People seeking support often present with overlapping challenges such as anxiety, OCD, depression, trauma histories, chronic stress or relationship difficulties.
—Gwilym Roddick, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2026
First, the team’s difficulties in trying to play well and win, and second, the injuries that are continuing to pile up before Wednesday’s Champions League round of 16 first leg at home against Manchester City.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Ulf Laessing, with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, said Friday's attack on Ngoshe took advantage of the Nigerian army’s difficulties in controlling large swaths of the country where jihadi groups operate.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
Ulf Laessing, with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, said Friday’s attack on Ngoshe took advantage of the Nigerian army’s difficulties in controlling large swaths of the country where jihadi groups operate.
—Dyepkazah Shibayan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Travelers are advised to check with their airline or travel agent as soon as possible for information on rebooking and refunds, though passengers are reporting difficulties getting assistance because of high caller volumes.
—Karla Cripps, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulties
Noun
-
The show depicted her and several other teenage girls grappling with the hardships of motherhood.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Sacramento’s downtown has faced hardships in recent years.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Installing brain implants requires brain surgery, after all, which is highly invasive and carries a risk of infection and complications.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
13 Mar. 2026
-
There are other complications as well, which are related to the relatively small sample sizes and diversity of dangers involved in human spaceflight.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Uber’s website says service animals must be accommodated in compliance with applicable accessibility laws and the company’s service animal policy, which says there are no exceptions due to allergies, religious objections, or a fear of animals.—
Steve Karnowski,
Twin Cities,
11 Mar. 2026
-
On Tuesday night, members of the upper chamber dropped objections to legislation passed by the House of Commons ousting dozens of dukes, earls and viscounts who inherited seats in Parliament along with their aristocratic titles.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The strike on the girls’ school has been one of the central controversies of the war.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
-
In recent years, the game has seen another uptick in popularity—especially with younger players who in prior generations might have been the ones rolling their eyes at their elders’ gossipy game nights—and an increase in controversies.—
Kase Wickman,
Vanity Fair,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The film explores the complexities of addiction, grief and healing.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
That convenience has made gold ETFs a common starting point for people who want to add gold exposure without learning the complexities of the physical metals market.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But those are exceptions that remind the audience just how rare the clean court is.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The proposal is subject to recent state housing laws, city officials said, which limit the city’s ability to deny or downzone the development and allow developers to add more units and receive special exceptions to local building rules if affordable housing is included.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Brown University School of Health policy researcher Jason Buxbaum said most similar disputes end within weeks; others within three months.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The initiative, the mayor said at press conference to announce the creation of the force, is designed to help residents navigate disputes and connect with state regulators, providing guidance and support in situations where board mismanagement leaves residents at a disadvantage.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Over the next few years, relief rates rose as the companies provided more individualized responses to complaints filed through the agency.—
Joel Jacobs,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Chicago taxpayers had to front a $100,000 settlement with the two ex-staffers who filed wrongful termination complaints.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Difficulties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulties. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
