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
Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 June 2026
The comedy of that isn’t undermined by the terror of Patricia’s plight; it’s enhanced by it.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 June 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
Considerably more sympathetic to her plight is Melanie Saunders (Graynor), a high-minded acting teacher whose intensive Act One studio Hannah chances upon while researching her favorite young actress, Gracie Thomas (Tavi Gevinson), online.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 June 2026
The comedy of that isn’t undermined by the terror of Patricia’s plight; it’s enhanced by it.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 June 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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Rather than allow the observatory to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere, NASA turned Swift’s predicament into a test of an emerging technology — robotic satellite servicing.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
-
And Prince George, who is third in line to the throne, is apparently in that predicament.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Alicent additionally promised Rhaenyra that a march to the Red Keep would be uneventful, because Aemond and Vhagar were bound for the front at Harrenhal.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
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Earlier this month, a Manhattan bar ran a promotion promising to comp customers’ drinks if the Knicks won the first game of the NBA Finals, per the New York Times.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
As burnout, anxiety and digital overload continue to climb, many are discovering that recovery requires doing less—not more.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
-
In a neighborhood sometimes marked by gangs and violence, and in a time of heightened anxiety over immigration enforcement, the Fiesta Back of the Yards acts as a beacon of light, offering food, social services, music and fun in a safe environment.—
Allison Kiehl,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Starmer has vowed to fight any leadership contest, deepening the sense of crisis within the Labour Party.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
-
Ospreay has vowed to finally wrap the top AEW title around his waist.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
There have been reports that some locals are not thrilled with Lipa and Turner’s takeover of their city, which has resulted in road closures and other inconveniences.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
20 June 2026
-
Battery Is Currency At Cannes, a dead phone is more than an inconvenience.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
But will mortgage rates actually drop after this week's Fed meeting?—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
Bridges, also brought in before 2024-25, could frustrate Knicks supporters, mostly because team president Leon Rose mortgaged the future on him.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
In great detail and with candid memories, the book narrates the trials, tribulations, and tragedies from the band’s formation in 1984 through the current day, including emotional and personal reflections on the life and death of one of its own superheroes, Chris Cornell.—
Selena Fragassi,
SPIN,
9 June 2026
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But Johnson, a West Sider and member of the nondemonational Lawndale Christian Community Church, has frequently leaned on his base within the Black church during times of tribulation in office.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Verb
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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 22 Jun. 2026.
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