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
To guard against undue optimism that the war in Europe would soon be over, the war correspondents stressed the difficulties that lay ahead.
—
Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
Geopolitics, uncertainty over trade tariffs and the difficulties faced by high-end players continued to weigh on exhibitors and visitors at Première Classe, Tranoï and Man / Woman, all of which ran through the first weekend of October.
—Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
Putting the difficulty of the task Mercedes had set for itself into perspective, the actual moon landing took only about two years longer to come to fruition after that particular challenge was announced.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2025
During a conversation at London Film Festival on Sunday, Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao got candid about Hollywood, the difficulty of financing films, how neurodivergence has impacted her storytelling and more.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
Geopolitics, uncertainty over trade tariffs and the difficulties faced by high-end players continued to weigh on exhibitors and visitors at Première Classe, Tranoï and Man / Woman, all of which ran through the first weekend of October.
—Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
Putting the difficulty of the task Mercedes had set for itself into perspective, the actual moon landing took only about two years longer to come to fruition after that particular challenge was announced.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2025
During a conversation at London Film Festival on Sunday, Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao got candid about Hollywood, the difficulty of financing films, how neurodivergence has impacted her storytelling and more.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty
Noun
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Other service members also said loans from the credit union, which is offering interest-free loans amid the shutdown, was standing between them and financial hardship.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
-
During this time, Chinese workers took up laundry work, which offered economic opportunity for the early immigrants despite legal and social hardships.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Jim talked me through the legal complexities of both Peltier’s case and the libel suits.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
-
But given the complexity and heterogeneity of the disease, that’s not likely to be what a complete remedy will look like.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, Hogsett promoted Andrews to director of DMD over the objections of the city's HR director.—
Tony Cook,
IndyStar,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Attorneys for Lyle and the family filed a formal objection to the further release of audio, but the parole board denied the request, explaining the recordings were public records.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Her participation had already sparked controversy due to her past ballroom experience.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The bill became a source of controversy in the Golden State, with celebrity chefs among those who rallied against the cookware ban, while environmental and health activists have argued for it.—
Rachel Frazin,
The Hill,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Preservé is only compatible with the Motiva SmoothSilk Ergonomix (teardrop-shaped) breast implants, which the FDA approved last year, following a lengthy clinical trial that demonstrated unprecedentedly low rates of complications.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
15 Oct. 2025
-
In an existential crisis triggered by critical illness or its complications, how does anyone restore emotional balance, chart a return to hope, or move towards acceptance?—
K.J.S. “Sunny” Anand,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
As a general rule, Humbert thinks devices don’t belong on restaurant tables, with exceptions for business meetings and solo meals.—
Maggie Hennessy,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Oct. 2025
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Those exceptions include true threats, defamation, harassment and obscenities.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Musk later cited the pay dispute as part of the reason why Tesla shifted its corporate home to Texas from Delaware.—
Kara Carlson,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Here’s how a community dispute escalated into a deadly tragedy.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The report was released as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau received record high numbers of complaints about auto loans.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 2025
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The complaint cites just three examples of transgender athletes on girls’ teams in Maine, including the pole-vaulter.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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