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
But the mayor is likely to run into the difficulties that have longed plague the child care system — and is already facing some pushback with pre-K teachers demanding higher wages.
—
Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 15 Feb. 2026
Nearly three quarters of operators plan to hire but expect difficulties finding experienced managers and chefs.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
Heading into the new year, states are reporting difficulties financing Medicaid, said Alice Burns, associate director of KFF's Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured.
—Kristi Tanner, Freep.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Yet some fans feel current team merchandise isn’t designed for women, whether due to sizing and fit issues or styling difficulties.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Meta's defense countered that the plaintiff's struggles stemmed from family difficulties rather than platform design, emphasizing the ongoing scientific debate about whether social media addiction exists.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
However, semiconductor analysts broadly agree with Cheng’s assessment that Washington’s most ambitious onshoring plans are unfeasible, citing the difficulties of relocating such an advanced supply chain.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
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
Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 15 Feb. 2026
Nearly three quarters of operators plan to hire but expect difficulties finding experienced managers and chefs.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
Heading into the new year, states are reporting difficulties financing Medicaid, said Alice Burns, associate director of KFF's Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured.
—Kristi Tanner, Freep.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Yet some fans feel current team merchandise isn’t designed for women, whether due to sizing and fit issues or styling difficulties.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Meta's defense countered that the plaintiff's struggles stemmed from family difficulties rather than platform design, emphasizing the ongoing scientific debate about whether social media addiction exists.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
However, semiconductor analysts broadly agree with Cheng’s assessment that Washington’s most ambitious onshoring plans are unfeasible, citing the difficulties of relocating such an advanced supply chain.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulties
Noun
-
That Lifeline Grocery Initiative has grown into a full farmers market with a pay-what-you-can model that encourages shoppers to create a new relationship with food, no matter their economic hardships.—
Annemarie Dooling,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The union has disputed Kaiser’s claims that a significant number of its members had crossed picket lines and returned to work, some of whom have talked about the financial hardships of striking.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Bell also said that the agency, which sets infectious disease reporting requirements, hasn’t considered adding hospitalizations to the list because the primary purpose of public health surveillance is to understand disease transmission, frequency and distribution — not to track complications.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Of course, one of the heaviest complications was being so lucky when so many others around us had lost their memories, their universes, their lives, even.—
Leonora Epstein,
Architectural Digest,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Top Army officials, over Hegseth’s objections, decided to keep Butler in the promotion queue during the past year.—
Missy Ryan,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Some pointed to the modern-day resurgence of antisemitism as justification for their objections.—
Jackie Hajdenberg,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Florida House unanimously passed a bipartisan bill Tuesday that would shed more light on state conservation decisions after a series of recent public lands controversies gave little room for public input.—
Max Chesnes Herald,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Plus, shifts in attitude toward police are not always about single acts but about the weight of national controversies placed on their shoulders, Cross pointed out.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And that forces Yoshida’s character to confront her own choices and those of her grandmother, as each generation of women navigates the complexities of love, sacrifice and family expectations.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Feb. 2026
-
By embracing approaches that emphasize often overlooked lifestyle factors, individualized growth, and adaptive support, educators and leaders can contribute to learning experiences that resonate with today’s students and prepare them for the complexities of tomorrow.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Those exceptions are not listed in the OMES report.—
Barbara Hoberock,
Oklahoman,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Overstaying Your Welcome Of course, there are plenty of exceptions, but clarify your arrival and departure times in advance, and be aware of any changes.—
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner,
Martha Stewart,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There were also disputes over women, Howell said.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The surrender of Bo Nagar, a leader of the Burma National Revolutionary Army or BNRA, in the upper-central region of Sagaing was a dramatic reminder of fractures within the armed resistance movement, which has led to sporadic clashes over control of territory and administrative disputes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Kiswani noted that outlets such as the New York Post have written about New Yorkers' complaints about the uptick in dog poop being left behind.—
MARIANA ALFARO THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Of the 10 complaints in 2025, Provost Rahul Shrivastav said one was substantiated, two are still being investigated and the rest were resolved, the student paper reported.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Difficulties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulties. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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