Synonyms of difficulty

difficulty

noun

ˈdi-fi-(ˌ)kəl-tē 

1

as in hardship

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

• hardship
• obstacle
• hurdle
• hardness
• adversity
• rigor
• trial
• asperity
• discomfort
• inconvenience
• misfortune
• nuisance
• impediment
• interference
• hindrance
• obstruction
• tribulation
• embarrassment
• tragedy
• handicap
• mishap
• let
• inhibition
• affliction
• encumbrance
• hitch
• deterrent
• stop
• snag
• rub
• knock
• chain
• catch
• hump
• block
• shackle
• clog
• crimp
• pons asinorum
• trammel
• check
• bar
• manacle
• fetter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• opportunity
• advantage
• break

2

as in complexity

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

• complexity
• complication
• headache
• intricacy
• convolution
• trouble
• complicacy
• matter
• annoyance
• fly in the ointment
• side effect
• ramification
• subtlety
• inconvenience
• aftereffect
• technicality
• bitch
• bother

3

as in objection

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

• objection
• exception
• complaint
• question
• challenge
• protest
• criticism
• fuss
• demur
• remonstrance
• stink
• demurrer
• suspicion
• doubt
• demurral
• expostulation
• qualm
• dispute
• misunderstanding
• uncertainty
• compunction
• dissent
• kick
• skepticism
• scruple
• reluctance
• misgiving
• quibble
• quarrel
• censure
• unease
• cavil
• distrust
• mistrust
• squabble
• disobedience
• debate
• argument
• uneasiness
• conflict
• static
• unwillingness
• rebellion
• hassle
• reservation
• niggle
• indetermination
• defiance
• incertitude
• dubitation
• mistrustfulness
• distrustfulness
• misdoubt
• dubiety
• qualmishness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• willingness
• approval
• agreement
• sanction
• acceptance
• compliance
• obedience
• acquiescence
• assent

4

as in controversy

variance of opinion on a matter

the theologian's ongoing difficulties with the Vatican

Synonyms & Similar Words

• controversy
• dispute
• disputation
• debate
• disagreement
• difference
• dissension
• nonconcurrence
• contention
• contestation
• firestorm
• conflict
• struggle
• dissensus
• dissonance
• discord
• clash
• confliction
• collision
• argument
• misunderstanding
• quarrel
• strife
• fight
• combat
• disaccord
• altercation
• divarication
• division
• falling-out
• set-to
• apartness
• kickup
• bicker

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agreement
• consensus
• harmony
• compliance
• acceptance
• accord
• unanimity
• peace
• concord

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of difficulty

Free apps like AllTrails and Hiking Project offer difficulty ratings shaped by user reviews. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026

Free apps like AllTrails and Hiking Project rate difficulty based on user reviews and are useful for scouting distance, elevation and rest points along a route. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2026

There were early concerns people weren’t turning up for the event because of the high ticket prices and the difficulty of obtaining visas for citizens of some countries. — Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

Each entry includes trail descriptions, mileage, elevation gain, difficulty ratings, seasonal considerations, full-color maps, and practical planning advice. — Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026