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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in controversy
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 difficulty
District officials said in the past year, Safeway had financial difficulties that caused concerns about the reliability of service, according to the funding resolution.
—
Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Seek additional medical attention if difficulty breathing, skin, or eye irritation persists.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026
There are also travel difficulties for some athletes heading to the Winter Paralympics, which start Friday in Italy.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Symptoms can include difficulty growing and gaining weight, slowed development of motor skills, intellectual disabilities, autistic behaviors and seizures, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
—Leanne Miller, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Seek additional medical attention if difficulty breathing, skin, or eye irritation persists.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026
There are also travel difficulties for some athletes heading to the Winter Paralympics, which start Friday in Italy.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Symptoms can include difficulty growing and gaining weight, slowed development of motor skills, intellectual disabilities, autistic behaviors and seizures, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
—Leanne Miller, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty
Noun
-
In the fictional Squid Game, the competition appealed particularly to those facing deep financial hardship.—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Veterans typically must also submit financial information to demonstrate hardship during this process.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The contracts are steeped in legal and technical complexity.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
With 100 days to go until the World Cup, the Iran war has added a new layer of complexity to the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.—
Graham Dunbar,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Other Flock customers, like Oakland, have dug in and decided to keep their cameras at the urging of local homeowners association representatives and small business owners — but over the objections of the city’s own Privacy Advisory Commission.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
-
None of the adults raised an objection.—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
House Speaker Mike Johnson, facing a historically slim GOP majority in the chamber, has only cautiously touched on the controversy in recent weeks.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
5 Mar. 2026
-
To say Born’s win was mired in controversy would be an understatement.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the condition doesn’t come with health complications.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
-
His lawyers suggest nearly half a million have suffered severe complications.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
What’s clear is that a changing of the guard is in store, with the apparent exception of international basketball’s GOAT, Kevin Durant.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
1 Mar. 2026
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Even in parts of California where the average home isn’t likely to save with a heat pump, there are plenty of exceptions.—
Ben Christopher,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
After five years of planning work, zoning disputes and legal challenges, Interfaith Sanctuary’s new shelter on State Street is ready for guests to move in, the organization announced Friday.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Anthropic isn’t the only company under threat from this dispute, said Connor.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Earlier in the night, the combative progressive suggested the results would not be known until Wednesday or later after the Texas Supreme Court blocked a Dallas judge who ordered polls to stay open two extra hours after complaints from voters who were turned away.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
-
In late 2024, the medical board received a complaint alleging that Acacio was a daily cocaine user.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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