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
Running an international night train is not without its difficulties.
—
Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 27 Oct. 2025
The Barca and Madrid hierarchies have battled together for common causes like the European Super League, which Perez has been pushing for decades, and which Laporta saw as a possible handy solution for Barca’s financial difficulties.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
This can cause difficulties getting pregnant, as well as irregular periods, hot flashes, and night sweats.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 24 Oct. 2025
The company had faced difficulties in securing regulatory licenses and opening accounts around the world stemming from Zhao’s conviction.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Despite the difficulties of running a school in a war zone, ANIM created a space in Afghanistan where kids could befriend teachers from all over the world and earn the chance to leave later on.
—Vidushi Mishti Sharma, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Said to be inspired by Hansen-Løve’s own relationship with French director Olivier Assayas, Bergman Island is an unconventional romance film that is about both the difficulties of love and the love of difficult movies.
—Erik Morse, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
The Dance Theatre of Harlem — one of the only ballet companies in the world whose mission is to specifically train and highlight ballerinas of color — went on hiatus due to financial difficulties from 2004 to 2012.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Six Flags has faced financial difficulties, reporting a $320 million loss for the first half of the year.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Oct. 2025
Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 27 Oct. 2025
The Barca and Madrid hierarchies have battled together for common causes like the European Super League, which Perez has been pushing for decades, and which Laporta saw as a possible handy solution for Barca’s financial difficulties.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
This can cause difficulties getting pregnant, as well as irregular periods, hot flashes, and night sweats.
—Wendy Wisner, Health, 24 Oct. 2025
The company had faced difficulties in securing regulatory licenses and opening accounts around the world stemming from Zhao’s conviction.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Despite the difficulties of running a school in a war zone, ANIM created a space in Afghanistan where kids could befriend teachers from all over the world and earn the chance to leave later on.
—Vidushi Mishti Sharma, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Said to be inspired by Hansen-Løve’s own relationship with French director Olivier Assayas, Bergman Island is an unconventional romance film that is about both the difficulties of love and the love of difficult movies.
—Erik Morse, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
The Dance Theatre of Harlem — one of the only ballet companies in the world whose mission is to specifically train and highlight ballerinas of color — went on hiatus due to financial difficulties from 2004 to 2012.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Six Flags has faced financial difficulties, reporting a $320 million loss for the first half of the year.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulties
Noun
-
These families, already in fragile and vulnerable situations, may face additional hardships as they are forced to prioritize household expenses such as rent, utilities, and gas, over food and other necessities.—
Ronny Maye,
Essence,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Below, Deadline speaks to Victor about their directorial debut, building a loving friendship and getting through the unspeakable hardships that life can throw at you.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In December 2013, Avery died at the age of 68 after complications from open-heart surgery, per ABC News.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The union has argued that an election would extend an already prolonged process, and raises opportunities for complications and appeals.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There were two major objections that were raised to the scenario of a rotating Earth, and neither one was successfully addressed until the Renaissance.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Oct. 2025
-
But Republicans quickly overcame her objections and the Senate went home.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
While the band is preparing for its return to the spotlight, past controversies continue to follow them.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
26 Oct. 2025
-
However, this new poll indicates that at least among young voters, controversies tied to extremist symbols may not turn the dial with their loyalties, highlighting a potential limit of the impact of scandals in modern campaigns and a potential shift in political tolerance.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Pisecco, the clinic director at Pisecco & Associates, PLLC—a practice that supports children and families navigating the complexities of autism and behavioral challenges—agrees.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Investing in these products can entail added risks and complexities, advisors said.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These are frequently shaped into nested spheres—though there are many exceptions, including intricate axial symmetries.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
There are exceptions to the current rules.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Handling booster disputes This sort of altercation was common at colleges when athletic departments started tying donations to seat locations of season ticket packages.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Earlier this month, Putin said Russian forces had captured nearly 5,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory since the start of the year — a claim Ukraine disputes.—
Efrat Lachter , Anders Hagstrom,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Leawood police fielded nearly 400 food-poisoning complaints and conducted about 130 interviews, a volume that briefly crashed the department’s records system, according to the Johnson County Post, KSHB 41 and KCTV5.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
-
According to court documents, Kansas City police became aware of numerous complaints and disputes related to Metro Tow and Transport over the past several years.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difficulties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulties. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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