as in predicament
a very bad or difficult situation
—usually singular
The recent cut in funding will only contribute to the hospital's financial plight. the plight of the unemployed
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Recent Examples of plight
Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
The plight of the elderly is so critical that the government recently authorized private entrepreneurs to operate elder care services and residential facilities, a move marking a significant departure from the island’s traditional model of total state control.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Gina Lee Castro, Journal Sentinel, 11 Oct. 2024
Not for months, but for years, plighting their troth.
—Guy Martin, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for plight
Noun
But the plight of the displaced today, whether from war, genocide, persecution or prejudice, will always call to me as a subject.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
The plight of the elderly is so critical that the government recently authorized private entrepreneurs to operate elder care services and residential facilities, a move marking a significant departure from the island’s traditional model of total state control.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
Latino history in the U.S. is plighted with systemic issues from mass deportations in the 1920s and 1930s, to poor working conditions for farm workers, to segregated schools, to arrests and stereotypes during the war on drugs.
—Gina Lee Castro, Journal Sentinel, 11 Oct. 2024
Not for months, but for years, plighting their troth.
—Guy Martin, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for plight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plight
Noun
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Our predicament was worsened by the motor-laden, vertically floating canoe that offered little support and would not be blown or pushed ashore, and by the loss of untethered life cushions and the lack of life jackets.—
Jim Hoagland,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
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Eddie Howe experienced a similar predicament and challenges on the financial front, with a desire for squad rejuvenation.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The trio has also pored over California’s vintage newspapers, which are newly digitized, to find old mining companies’ reports on promising hot spots.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
An expansive pool deck beckons, and an indoor-outdoor bar space promises endless summer all year long.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
The next, everyone is discussing climate anxiety among urban houseplants.—
Larry Clifton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
-
Typically found at gas stations and smoke shops, kratom and its synthetic version, known as 7-Hydroxymitragynine or 7-OH, have been marketed as an over-the-counter aid for pain, anxiety and drug dependence.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Turkey’s government has long declared the square off-limits for demonstrations on security grounds, but some political parties and trade unions have vowed to march there.—
Sylvie Corbet,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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The stabbings followed a spate of incidents targeting Jewish premises in the same area of north London, home to a large Jewish population, prompting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to vow stronger action to protect Jewish people.—
Sarah Young,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The airline apologized for the inconvenience.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
-
Reliability isn’t optional The consequences of grid stress extend far beyond inconvenience.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Stop mortgaging our future for vanity projects.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
After going a combined 3-of-15 from 3-point range in Games 1 and 2, the player the Magic mortgaged four first-round picks for had yet to justify that investment in this series.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The new film, which is both written and directed by the franchise’s longtime screenwriter John Hamburg, sees Grande play Olivia Jones, the fiancé of Pam and Greg Focker’s son who now has to endure the tribulations of meeting the parents (and grandparents) before joining the family.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
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That was Mark Critchley’s cue to interview Maguire about his tribulations in Manchester (and his harder times with the England national team, too).—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The two got engaged in 2014 and have remained affianced since.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
Peoplemag,
5 May 2023
-
Alexandra Crotin, a rep for Stone, later confirmed to USA TODAY the actress and writer are now affianced.—
Charles Trepany,
USA TODAY,
5 Dec. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Plight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plight. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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