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
Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Two hours later, Ukraine’s urgent plight – the defining security crisis of Europe’s post-WW2 era - was passionately portrayed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, evoking the issue that should have been center stage breaking through the MAGA noise.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 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
His son and his daughter-in-law would be highlighting people’s plight and going to countries in the world that need help, the way Diana did.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Two hours later, Ukraine’s urgent plight – the defining security crisis of Europe’s post-WW2 era - was passionately portrayed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, evoking the issue that should have been center stage breaking through the MAGA noise.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 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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And given that two cops are already sniffing around the Redfellows’ sudden propensity for premature expiration, Becket finds himself in quite a predicament.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
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Trump lamented how Mountbatten-Windsor’s predicament would affect Charles, who is expected to visit the US this year, likely in April.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Conveniently located in the heart of Admiralty, right by Hong Kong’s major fashion and finance centers, the hotel promises a fantastic location, great views, personable staff, and classic European elegance.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
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On the other side of the Atlantic, governments are promising to hold the wealthy, powerful and politically connected to account.—
Anthony Faiola,
Washington Post,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Tobacco parallels The Los Angeles trial centers on allegations made by a 20-year-old woman, Kaley, and her mother that four social media giants intentionally designed addictive platforms that hooked her as a child and led to mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
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The lurch from confidence to anxiety has been a key reason Villa have not held their nerve in some supposedly easier fixtures.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Trump vowed to use other methods to implement tariffs.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
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In Washington, congressional Democrats have made a mask ban for ICE a key issue in the ongoing partial government shutdown, vowing not to fund the Department of Homeland Security until one is enacted.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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February is primetime for big Northeast snowstorms and a storm brewing this weekend could deliver on that… or be nothing more than just a minor inconvenience.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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The Indian government has apologised for inconvenience caused to attendees in the initial days.—
Aditya Soni,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Shepherd saw an opportunity and mortgaged her home to start a mail-order seed business, marketing unusual seed varieties, including mesclun mixes.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
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Syria’s sovereignty had been partly mortgaged to Russia and Iran, which were squeezing Damascus for money to repay their investment in the conflict.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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The 30-year-old Somali American, who also co-owns a Mediterranean restaurant in the same area experiencing similar economic tribulations, described his coffee shops as local melting pots for Muslims and non-Muslims, East Africans and White people.—
Yahya Salem,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 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 23 Feb. 2026.
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