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
Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Lauren Bis, acting assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, blamed the Democrats for the plight of the TSA workers.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 27 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
Community members can learn about the conservational plight of various local species in the month-long exhibit, a park district news release said.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Lauren Bis, acting assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, blamed the Democrats for the plight of the TSA workers.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 27 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
-
They were considered a distant contender as the eighth championship favorite — before the injuries snowballed and created this predicament.—
Douglas Kezirian,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The term worst-case scenario doesn’t begin to accurately describe your character’s predicament in Thrash.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The wide brim offers sun protection and adjustable chin straps promise a secure fit.—
Claire West,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Repubican contenders repeatedly promised to reverse those trends Saturday.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Last year’s Public Service Commission flips were a blaring warning sign in a cycle dominated by voter anxiety over affordability and utility costs.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
12 Apr. 2026
-
For weeks, Hilton and Bianco have led polls while eight prominent Democrats including Swalwell split the support of liberal voters, stoking anxiety among Democrats that the party could end up shut out of the November election.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Israel vowed to establish a security zone in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel from the region last month.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The homeless man accused of stabbing 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on a North Carolina light-rail train has been deemed incompetent to stand trial in his state case, but federal authorities vowed the decision will not impact their own case against him.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Despite that, Bunnell and his neighbor, Tom Williams, who received the same notice, are frustrated by the inconvenience.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Singh believes this model allows members to simply show up and play, without the inconvenience of coordinating with others or paying additional fees.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
The novel makes clear the particular tribulations faced by a biracial woman for whom claiming membership in either race inevitably means excluding the other.—
Nicky Marsh,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Mar. 2026
-
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
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 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
