Synonyms of flies in the ointment

flies in the ointment

phrase

plural of fly in the ointment

as in difficulties

something that makes a situation more complicated or difficult

The delay in the delivery of our appliances was a fly in the ointment during our kitchen renovation.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difficulties
• complications
• complexities
• intricacies
• convolutions
• matters
• complicacies
• headaches
• side effects
• ramifications
• troubles
• annoyances
• technicalities
• bitches
• subtleties
• aftereffects
• inconveniences
• bothers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of flies in the ointment

Directors Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern have no interest in being the flies in the ointment. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026