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
Portraying scenes that were set in eras during which the punishment women faced for adultery was death, artists including Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens and Tintoretto explored religious disciplinary processes and the difficulties of pronouncing moral judgments.
—
Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2025
Symptoms of the disease include memory loss, trouble with language, feeling irritable, having trouble chewing and swallowing, and difficulty sleeping.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 29 July 2025
This strategy will continue despite pressure on their finances, regional analysts say , due to the extreme difficulty of tracking informal, cash-only transactions.
—Natasha Turak,emma Graham, CNBC, 29 July 2025
Given the difficulties and costs of international adoption, agencies... have decided to cease their international adoption programs.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2025
Symptoms of the disease include memory loss, trouble with language, feeling irritable, having trouble chewing and swallowing, and difficulty sleeping.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 29 July 2025
This strategy will continue despite pressure on their finances, regional analysts say , due to the extreme difficulty of tracking informal, cash-only transactions.
—Natasha Turak,emma Graham, CNBC, 29 July 2025
Given the difficulties and costs of international adoption, agencies... have decided to cease their international adoption programs.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty
Noun
-
This work is also a tribute to the rich and inspiring story of the Black church in America—a story laden with hope and hardship.—
AudioFile Magazine
July 31,
Literary Hub,
31 July 2025
-
Thrift stores offer affordable options for consumers, especially during economic hardship, and contribute to community support through donations and job creation.—
Molly Gregory,
The Courier-Journal,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
Startups entering these markets often underestimate the complexity of compliance, auditability and institutional expectations.—
Kevin Meyer,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
At its core, Maybe Happy Ending is a story about the longing for connection and the complexities of being human (and Helperbot, and Vegetable) — universal themes that transcend all backgrounds.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
Days before Pirro's confirmation, Trump directed lawmakers to postpone their summer recess and clear a backlog of nominees whose confirmations had been delayed by Democrats over objections to his agenda, including judicial nominees.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
3 Aug. 2025
-
The deadline for objections to Milwaukee residents' 2025 property assessments was May 19, but Wauwatosa residents have until Aug. 16 to submit an objection.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The controversy exploded when Randi (@Randipandy_) posted a now-viral video from her car, blasting parents who refuse to buy even basic items for the classroom.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
31 July 2025
-
The Trump administration has been caught up in controversy over the case for weeks as his supporters seek more transparency about Epstein's criminal case files.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
The artist’s rep revealed to multiple outlets that Seely died on Friday at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee, due to complications from an intestinal infection, following two emergency abdominal surgeries and other health problems this year.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
1 Aug. 2025
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Country music trailblazer and Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Seely died on Friday (Aug. 1) at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tenn., due to complications from an intestinal infection.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
One of the legislative wins for Texas conservatives last year was the passing of Senate Bill 17, the nation's second anti-DEI law that banned DEI programs, staff, offices and hiring at Texas public universities but had exceptions for academic courses, research and student groups.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Executives with a 30-year track record at the company are more the rule rather than the exception, P&G has said.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
Threads on the South Park subreddit and social media have lit up with foul-mouthed complaints from international fans, most of them directed at Paramount and David Ellison’s Skydance Media, whose $8 billion buyout of Paramount is at the heart of the South Park dispute.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 July 2025
-
But there are still some sour grapes about the big tactical dispute in February.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
The complaint alleges that Live Nation-Ticketmaster unlawfully exercises its monopoly power in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act.—
Beck Andrew Salgado,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
The Kroger in the Holiday Manor Shopping Center and another location on Westport Road both faced complaints to Louisville health department officials regarding the possible presence of rodents, as well.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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