difficulty

noun

ˈdi-fi-(ˌ)kəl-tē How to pronounce difficulty (audio)
Definition of difficultynext
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

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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

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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?

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in controversy
variance of opinion on a matter the theologian's ongoing difficulties with the Vatican

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of difficulty However, a Ukrainian commander interviewed by The War Zone described cable breakage, equipment fragility, and handling difficulties. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026 According to the Pew survey, 71 percent of those earning less than $50,700 annually, adjusted to a three-person household, experienced difficulty paying for at least one basic necessity over the past year. — John Csiszar, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2026 Other drivers included grief, loneliness, relationship difficulties, work and financial strain, health concerns and major life decisions. — Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026 Signs such as numbness, vision changes, fatigue, and difficulty walking can occur in many other neurological disorders. — Bruce Bebo, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty
  1. hardship
  2. complexity
  3. objection
  4. controversy
  5. complication
  6. exception
  7. dispute
  8. complaint
Noun
  • The embezzlement caused so much financial hardship that the church was forced to reduce programming and take out loans to pay its expenses, the agreement said.
    — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Bulgarians voted against a backdrop of growing economic hardship and drone attacks on Black Sea shipping, which have left several sailors dead or missing.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of hardship
Noun
  • But Idaho physicians told the Statesman that those exceptions often do not exist in practice — in large part because legal language is ill-suited to capture the complexities of medical care.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Sarah Polley brought Miriam Toews’s heartbreaking novel to the big screen with great care and without compromising its complexity.
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of complexity
Noun
  • During a May 19 hearing, a judge set his bail at $1,000 over objection of the District Attorney's office and ordered him not to contact his wife or return to the family home.
    — Tim Fang, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Judge Faruqui seemed skeptical of the objection, saying that the testimony appeared to be directly relevant to his eventual determination of whether there is sufficient probable cause for the charges.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of objection
Noun
  • The Republican nominee defended the political ad until it was pulled by the campaign, while Acton used the controversy to her advantage.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Although the film is not true to some parts of the book, which caused some controversy among staunch King fans, Kubrick does bring to life the terrors King so aptly wrote about, including domestic abuse, isolation, helplessness, and alcoholism.
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of controversy
Noun
  • Research suggests standard time better aligns with our circadian rhythm, or internal clock, and reduces the risk of health complications.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Earlier this month, Ric-Man Construction Florida sued Miami Beach, saying delays caused by the city and other complications have cost the company nearly $21 million, according to a claim summary attached to the lawsuit.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of complication
Noun
  • Miscarriage, complex cases are rarely ‘certain’ The lack of exceptions in Idaho’s current law has been a major concern in providing miscarriage care, doctors said.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The exception was 2024, when Zilker Park had the most burglaries with 201, the highest annual count recorded near that park during the six-year period.
    — Data Reporter, Austin American Statesman, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of exception
Noun
  • But the movement has widened to include workers demanding relief from rising living costs, making the government’s task broader than resolving a dispute over university admissions.
    — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Debt, the deficit and high interest rates limit the government’s ability to increase spending and foreshadow disputes over how to fund campaign promises without jeopardizing social programs.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • The attorney’s complaint to Internal Affairs alleged Sguros used his position as a police officer to assume control of West’s property and said Sguros was pursuing a civil case related to the home.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • In response, Argentine congresswoman Marcela Pagano filed a criminal complaint with the Federal Court of Puerto Iguazú regarding Bolsonaro’s entry and his subsequent departure on a private plane.
    — Florencia Cabral, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of complaint

Browse Nearby Words

difficulties
difficulty
diffidence
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Cite this Entry

“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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