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
One of the biggest difficulties in devising laws on the topic of AI for mental health involves defining what constitutes AI for mental health.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Children exposed to wildfire smoke may experience chest pain and tightness, breathing difficulties, coughing, and irritation in the nose, throat, and eyes, among other symptoms.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Greengrass and his team of three editors, led by seasoned action hand William Goldenberg, cut back and forth between Kevin’s personal difficulties and reports of rapidly escalating wildfires, the scramble to control them led by Cal Fire battalion chief Ray Martinez (Yul Vázquez).
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
The brothers, through their lawyer Norberto Cisneros, said the sculpture’s delay stemmed from inflation, difficulties in obtaining materials and work stoppages during the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
That demand is fueled by workspace changes due to the pandemic and the difficulties of integrating AI in the workforce.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Mask no difficulties, mistakes, failures.
—Literary Hub
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
The third and final film takes place in the 1930s, so the Crawley family and their staff will be grappling with social change, alongside public scandal and financial difficulties.
—Ben Rosenstock, Time, 27 Aug. 2025
So, Baum wondered how even larger animals, usually in the business of eating others, might struggle with the direct difficulties of acidification.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2025
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Children exposed to wildfire smoke may experience chest pain and tightness, breathing difficulties, coughing, and irritation in the nose, throat, and eyes, among other symptoms.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Greengrass and his team of three editors, led by seasoned action hand William Goldenberg, cut back and forth between Kevin’s personal difficulties and reports of rapidly escalating wildfires, the scramble to control them led by Cal Fire battalion chief Ray Martinez (Yul Vázquez).
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
The brothers, through their lawyer Norberto Cisneros, said the sculpture’s delay stemmed from inflation, difficulties in obtaining materials and work stoppages during the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
That demand is fueled by workspace changes due to the pandemic and the difficulties of integrating AI in the workforce.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Mask no difficulties, mistakes, failures.
—Literary Hub
august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025
The third and final film takes place in the 1930s, so the Crawley family and their staff will be grappling with social change, alongside public scandal and financial difficulties.
—Ben Rosenstock, Time, 27 Aug. 2025
So, Baum wondered how even larger animals, usually in the business of eating others, might struggle with the direct difficulties of acidification.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulties
Noun
-
But fortunately, those hardships brought the team closer.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Haase said some families now come forward to ask if counselors can support their child through family hardships such as a divorce.—
Hanna Kang,
Oc Register,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When Cochrane died in 1913, at 74, from complications following a stroke, there was a growing commercial market for dishwashers in the United States.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Viruses can trigger serious asthma attacks and lead to complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia.—
Rhonda Conner-Warren,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Skilled marketers must proactively address customer objections in their content to win sales.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Additionally, all states allow medical vaccine exemptions, and most states have exemption policies in place for people with strong religious objections in an effort to balance the need for public health with freedom of choice.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Kraft later said he was disappointed in how the docuseries focused on controversies instead of the team’s success.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Canceled also highlights other controversies in Deen's career, including her public spats with Bourdain, the world-traveling chef and CNN travel documentarian who later died by suicide in 2018.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
To say the 2023 guidance was a complete success would be to discount the complexities that exist.—
Christian Espinosa,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The biggest challenge has been navigating the complexities of building a luxury brand from scratch.—
Ugonnaora Owoh,
Essence,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Eighty-two percent of Florida parents said public schools should require vaccines for measles and polio, with some exceptions.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Plus, with few exceptions, Starbucks has given Wall Street very little visibility into its financial targets and the costs of the turnaround.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
International investment treaty disputes are arbitrated under a third-party institution that employs attorneys who specialize in international law and have no particular ties to either party.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The California Governor’s Office disputes Kominski’s characterization of contractor donations as a vector for political influence.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The site provides links to 14 private and government groups that accept and act on complaints, including the FBI, the Better Business Bureau, the Social Security Administration, AARP, the SEC, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The report’s own data shows that companies slashing diversity, equity, and inclusion are experiencing higher discrimination complaints, lower morale, and decreased attraction of top talent.—
Essence,
Essence,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difficulties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulties. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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