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
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
The other facet of Navarro’s sad song about the plight of the rich is his acknowledgement that 10 percent of households do make half of all household spending.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 22 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
Even Aaron Boone can relate to the plight of the present-day sports fan.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
The other facet of Navarro’s sad song about the plight of the rich is his acknowledgement that 10 percent of households do make half of all household spending.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 22 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
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Lee said financial pressure on cities has contributed to DART’s predicament this year, and simply moving money around won’t help.—
Lilly Kersh,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Councilmember Kent Lee said this winter that the dire predicament facing the city’s Transportation Department should have been the centerpiece of the campaign for a 2024 ballot measure to raise the city’s sales tax.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The grandiose space’s massive stage and high-caliber lighting rigs promise extravagant parties and ceremonies that will light up the city’s social calendar.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
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In 1995, the owner of the Raiders, Al Davis, was offered about two hundred million dollars in public loans to move the team from Los Angeles back to its previous home in Oakland; when the team moved to Las Vegas, three decades later, it was promised nearly triple that amount.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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While 88% of companies report regular AI use, according to McKinsey, adoption may be stalling as a result of employees’ anxiety around the technology displacing them from their jobs.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
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Noise pollution is a real health issue linked to sleep disorders, elevated blood pressure and anxiety.—
Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the wake of their mother's death, Dias, who relocated to Ocala to care for her grandchildren, vowed not to leave their side.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Steers died earlier this year, but the organization has vowed to keep its mission of protecting Big Bear's wildlife and their habitat.—
Chelsea Hylton,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Sometimes people are unaware of the inconvenience their pets cause, and a friendly chat can lead to a solution.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
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Confirm guest bathrooms are adequately stocked with necessary toiletries and supplies to prevent inconvenience.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Here’s how the road less traveled can lead you to long-term success, while your peers’ shortcuts mortgage their long-term futures.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
25 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
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The husband-and-wife filmmakers behind the Iranian doc short Cutting Through Rocks, who had faced their own tribulations, were right there.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Mar. 2026
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Ownership struggles, wars, economic collapses, and the ever-evolving tribulations of the automotive business brought constant change.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The two got engaged in 2014 and have remained affianced since.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
Peoplemag,
5 May 2023
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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 5 Apr. 2026.
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