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
This project encountered several delays, and POSCO dropped it a few years ago due to difficulties in acquiring land, according to a Reuters report.
—
Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
The wayward high-schoolers of the HBO series are now young adults, encountering the difficulties that come with entering the real world and trying to establish themselves.
—Molly Lambert, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
Past studies have shown the use of marijuana during pregnancy is linked to low birth weight, impulsivity, hyperactivity, attention difficulties, and other cognitive and behavioral issues in children, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Parents of students with disabilities have expressed concern about civil rights cases closing too soon and difficulties of knowing who to talk to after the reduction in force occurred.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2026
Portman — daughter of a fertility doctor — said she was raised hearing about the difficulties some couples face when trying to start a family.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026
While advantageous to hunters who want to be hidden from their targets, such an outfit presents obvious difficulties for searchers trying to find someone who could be incapacitated.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
The difficulties in the past will not define us.
—Michael Ruiz , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
His comments upon exiting might have foreshadowed the current difficulties.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
The wayward high-schoolers of the HBO series are now young adults, encountering the difficulties that come with entering the real world and trying to establish themselves.
—Molly Lambert, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
Past studies have shown the use of marijuana during pregnancy is linked to low birth weight, impulsivity, hyperactivity, attention difficulties, and other cognitive and behavioral issues in children, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Parents of students with disabilities have expressed concern about civil rights cases closing too soon and difficulties of knowing who to talk to after the reduction in force occurred.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2026
Portman — daughter of a fertility doctor — said she was raised hearing about the difficulties some couples face when trying to start a family.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026
While advantageous to hunters who want to be hidden from their targets, such an outfit presents obvious difficulties for searchers trying to find someone who could be incapacitated.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
The difficulties in the past will not define us.
—Michael Ruiz , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
His comments upon exiting might have foreshadowed the current difficulties.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulties
Noun
-
South Korean officials confirmed details of Kim’s defection, and his descriptions of hardships faced by North Koreans mirror numerous accounts defectors shared with CNN.—
Mike Valerio,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Danielle Litz, a mom of two, knows the hardships that come with having babies endure an extended stay in the NICU all too well.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Betts, who had not been wearing a seatbelt, died three months later from complications of her blunt force trauma injuries.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Since its debut, chickenpox cases—and complications—have declined dramatically.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Most School Board members had at least some objections to the cuts, but Adam Cervera was particularly critical, saying the cuts focused more rank-and-file employees than high-level leaders.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Elliott had started self-distributing the film over objections from the distributor to wait.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Chavez-DeRemer’s departure came as several controversies were surrounding her, her office and her family members.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The labor secretary had been the subject of multiple controversies—accused of abusing her power, having an affair with a subordinate, and drinking on the job.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Agents, managers and lawyers, of course, are already thinking a bit further ahead, not least because of the complexities involved in the very idea of monetizing one’s likeness through deepfakes.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
-
As the largest independent bank headquartered in Southern California, East West Bank brings decades of experience in developing financing strategies tailored to the unique creative and operational complexities of the entertainment industry.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the mold the Dolphins are building off was consistent, followed through with few exceptions.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
-
With a few notable exceptions, Leo kept his political remarks to the leaders largely diplomatic, using a language of encouragement and subtle messaging rather than headline-grabbing condemnations.—
NICOLE WINFIELD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the more notable trend today is that many disputes no longer hinge on whether AI exists at all.—
Perrie M. Weiner,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Platinum’s biggest supply risk stems from its heavy dependence on South African mines, where power outages and labor disputes can disrupt mining output.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The company faced complaints about Apple Maps and abandoned an electric car project.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The Chinese Communist Party is resurrecting one of its favorite complaints against the Japanese government, decrying officials’ routine visit to a shrine honoring dead soldiers of World War II.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Difficulties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulties. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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