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
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 plight
Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Americans imprisoned on dubious charges Among the other Americans whose plight has become public is Afarin Mohajer, a California resident originally from Iran.
—Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 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
Young Jane fictionalized her adventurous (or desperate) aunt’s experience in early juvenilia, suggesting a precocious interest in the plight of the unmarried woman.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Americans imprisoned on dubious charges Among the other Americans whose plight has become public is Afarin Mohajer, a California resident originally from Iran.
—Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 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
-
And there's no sign that the president is ready to get involved in Georgia's primary on May 19, meaning Republicans there could be on course for a similar predicament.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
And there’s no sign that the president is ready to get involved in Georgia’s primary on May 19, meaning Republicans there could be on course for a similar predicament.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Iranian attacks against Gulf States have persisted, even after President Masoud Pezeshkian promised not to do so, according to a report from the Institute for the Study of War.—
Robert Stewart,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Italy promised defense systems to Gulf nations.—
Robin Wright,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Still, the broader bond rout reflects anxiety about the global economy after crude oil surged toward $120 a barrel, up almost 80% since the Iran war began and disrupted shipments from the Middle East.—
Marcus Wong,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Studies have shown a correlation between heavy digital dependence and mental health challenges including depression, anxiety and stress.—
Karen Garcia,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday vowed to continue the attacks and keep the strait closed in his first public statement since succeeding his father, who was killed in the opening day of the war.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Mojtaba Khamenei issued a fiery first public statement yesterday, vowing to keep blocking the vital Strait of Hormuz trade route and attacking Gulf states.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With the Nationals series out of consideration, selecting a date for the visit will be complicated – and the inconvenience created could provide cover for some to skip the occasion.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Her voice suggests that yearning for a past romance might be, in fact, an inconvenience.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Oklahoma Education Association President Cari Elledge equated the plan to mortgaging a teacher’s future for a salary increase today.—
Nuria Martinez-Keel,
Oklahoma Voice,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The Rams also draft well in the deeper rounds, which ought to give them some confidence that trading a single first-round pick isn’t the same as completely mortgaging the future.—
Sam McDowell
March 4,
Kansas City Star,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ownership struggles, wars, economic collapses, and the ever-evolving tribulations of the automotive business brought constant change.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Set outside of Carson City, Nevada, during the 1860s on a fictional ranch called Ponderosa, the show followed the adventures and tribulations of the Cartwright family.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
18 Feb. 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 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
