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
Other difficulties have been more down to Earth.
—
David W. Brown, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Several previous attempts to launch women's hockey leagues in North America have failed, often due to financial difficulties.
—Ian Thomas, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026
These included the difficulties of testing nuclear explosions for peaceful purposes without violating the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963 and the huge budget deficits caused by the Vietnam War.
—The Conversation, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
The real problem, however, is San Jose’s inability to swiftly deal with the difficulties at this and other blight sites, according to Staedler.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
Steep currency devaluations over the past decade have not produced the kind of durable export booms policymakers hope for, reflecting difficulties in developing competitive sectors.
—Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Accounts and reflections on life’s difficulties/struggles are encouraged to be shared with humor and humility.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
For those in the Chicago area who are experiencing crisis and having difficulties caring for their pets.
—Audrina Sinclair, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
In the study, chewing difficulties were associated with more severe IBS symptoms.
—Brian Mastroianni, Health, 2 Apr. 2026
David W. Brown, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Several previous attempts to launch women's hockey leagues in North America have failed, often due to financial difficulties.
—Ian Thomas, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026
These included the difficulties of testing nuclear explosions for peaceful purposes without violating the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963 and the huge budget deficits caused by the Vietnam War.
—The Conversation, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
The real problem, however, is San Jose’s inability to swiftly deal with the difficulties at this and other blight sites, according to Staedler.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
Steep currency devaluations over the past decade have not produced the kind of durable export booms policymakers hope for, reflecting difficulties in developing competitive sectors.
—Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Accounts and reflections on life’s difficulties/struggles are encouraged to be shared with humor and humility.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
For those in the Chicago area who are experiencing crisis and having difficulties caring for their pets.
—Audrina Sinclair, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
In the study, chewing difficulties were associated with more severe IBS symptoms.
—Brian Mastroianni, Health, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulties
Noun
-
This project did indeed start small – a single gray tote placed in the downtown lobby of Family Counseling Service, where staff members could donate toys for the kids of families struggling with everyday hardships.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Attorney Gloria Allred, who reps several of the victims’ families, spoke of the hardships the victims faced, many being young mothers at the time they were killed.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These varying complications can make MS difficult to diagnose and treat.—
ANDREW ABRAHAMS,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Congenital urinary tract conditions can lead to serious complications, including fetal loss and kidney failure in childhood or later in life, and may increase the risk of lifelong kidney disease, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.—
Shafiq Najib,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Parliament Speaker Aung Lin Dwe said the appointments of 30 ministers were approved with no objections.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Since the initial news of Gatewood’s filing with the IG, speculation regarding the content of the complaint has focused on ShotSpotter, the gunshot-detection technology formerly employed in parts of the city, which Johnson ended in the fall of 2024 over the objections of a majority of aldermen.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Agencies that have seemingly avoided political controversies, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), would also see their budgets cut by over half.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Though Ye apologized to the Jewish community in 2023, the controversies continued.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Through the personal stories of activists and intense courtroom battles, host Brendan Patrick Hughes explores themes of faith, rebellion, and the complexities of confronting injustice, ultimately offering a compelling blueprint for modern activism.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Created in 2011 by then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton under the Obama administration, ENR was intended to navigate the geopolitical complexities of the global energy industry.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The ordinance, unanimously adopted by the City Council on March 17, clamps down on height exceptions for residential buildings and revises the process for considering high-volume drive-thru restaurants, to allow for more council oversight.—
Rose Evans
April 12,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Apr. 2026
-
All meals and drinks (with some exceptions; see below) are included on Evrima.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
It was sent by a Southern California attorney who has represented Citizens for Positive Growth & Preservation in legal disputes with Sacramento for over a decade.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
In many mining districts, criminal organizations effectively govern territory, controlling entry, resolving disputes and enforcing authority through violence.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The people were lodging complaints about the government's intensifying crackdown on the internet that has seen regular shutdowns of cellphone internet connections, blocked popular messaging apps and cut access to thousands of other websites and digital services.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Lod listed several frequent complaints among Oiapoque residents, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, including overcrowded schools and the city’s only hospital operating at full capacity.—
Gabriela Sá Pessoa,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Difficulties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulties. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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