plight 1 of 2

noun

Definition of plightnext
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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plight

2 of 2

verb

as in to promise

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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
Noun
With his visit, Leo followed in the footsteps of Pope Francis, who made the plight of migrants and refugees a priority of his pontificate. — ABC News, 4 July 2026 Polo will play the role of Margaret, Beau’s lieutenant in his cult operation, and who also connects to Jamie’s plight. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 2 July 2026 Written and directed by Barker, the film follows the harrowing plight of Bear (Johnston), a music store employee who has an enormous crush on his co-worker Nikki (Navarrette). — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Stammen said late last night by way of acknowledging his plight. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for plight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plight
  1. predicament
  2. promise
  3. anxiety
  4. vow
  5. inconvenience
  6. mortgage
  7. tribulation
  8. affiance
Noun
  • The combination of Olise’s footwork and Mbappé’s speed creates a don’t-know-where-to-turn predicament for France’s opponents.
    — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026
  • Potential romantic entanglement aside, these two have seriously different perspectives on Paula’s predicament.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 1 July 2026
Definition of predicament
Verb
  • Lam’s account shocked many people in the former British colony, which Beijing promised would maintain its Western-style civil liberties for 50 years after its return to China in 1997.
    — Kanis Leung, Fortune, 16 July 2026
  • Backers of the current system are promising a lawsuit — and their own effort to expand it further, allowing as many as five candidates to advance to the November general election.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of promise
Noun
  • Broglio also hopes that athletes learn to look for symptoms such as anxiety, depression and cognitive issues, because many are very treatable.
    — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
  • Researchers and psychologists agree that this feeling can fuel anxiety, dissatisfaction, and a constant need to stay connected, for fear of missing an opportunity, an event, or an experience.
    — Ana Morales, Vogue, 11 July 2026
Definition of anxiety
Verb
  • Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel has vowed to resist a military aggression.
    — Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • After the shooting of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis in January, DHS vowed to quickly deploy body cameras to federal immigration agents nationwide.
    — Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 14 July 2026
Definition of vow
Noun
  • The latest comedic trend taking over social media involves people mocking Netflix-style documentaries with a specific prompt, usually tied to their trauma, niche inconveniences, major news events or unanswered questions in pop culture.
    — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • The Quality Of Direct Leadership In a large corporation, a bad manager is an inconvenience.
    — Vikram Joshi, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of inconvenience
Verb
  • So my guess/belief/thought is that the executive trio is hoping for the best this year, but is unwilling to do anything that mortgages future seasons.
    — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 9 July 2026
  • Right now, these properties are not being resold or mortgaged.
    — Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 24 June 2026
Definition of mortgage
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
  • 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
Definition of tribulation
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
Definition of affiance

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Cite this Entry

“Plight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plight. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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