PLIGHTS Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

plights 1 of 2

noun

plural of plight

as in anxieties

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

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Dissimilar Words

plights

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of plight

as in promises

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

reneges

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 plights

Noun

The movie, which will premiere June 10 at the fest, dramatizes the plights of Iranian civilians weeks before the United States and Israel invaded the country this year. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2026 At great personal risk, Hadi connected me with dissidents, political prisoners, and their relatives, who all described their plights as the regime’s repressive campaign escalated in the weeks leading up to the war. — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026 Given the tyrannical inferno that engulfed these precariously united states, my personal plights were mere embers, ashes, in the grand scheme of things. — Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026 Then again, that slightly generic quality never impinges on the film’s characterizations, and allows viewers to extrapolate the finer points of this story to the plights of so many other refugees, from Syria and elsewhere. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 27 Jan. 2026 The particular bodily plights of the thirty-something jock don’t stem simply from the inherent risk imbued in competitive sports. — Grace Perry, Outside, 1 Jan. 2026 Our reviewer was captivated by the evocative writing and moved by the characters’ plights. — Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 13 May 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plights

Noun

Rather than bridging shortfalls, both Seattle and Washington now face more difficult fiscal predicaments, Joblon said.

— Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
The madman strategy is for not-crazy leaders caught in adverse predicaments.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026

Definition of predicaments

Verb

The gap between what the league promises on paper and what a domestic player actually experiences on the ground is where the real work of building a sport lives.

— Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Even as Higgsfield promises the film isn’t meant for Hollywood’s content pool, the project is a test for how public figures can get paid to see their likenesses and scripts adapted with generative AI.

— Corbin Bolies, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of promises

Noun

This restores a portion of their old fortune to Magdalen as well (from her deceased husband Noel), ending the Vanstones’ tribulations for good.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026
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

Definition of tribulations

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
Those are the players in recent memory who’ve commanded the kind of draft capital that reshapes franchises — the sort of seismic move that mortgages a future and, in return, attaches expectations normally reserved for franchise-carrying superstars.

— Kristian Winfield, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2026

Definition of mortgages

Noun

That said, there are some inconveniences around living on a remote island.

— Brittany Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
In fact, Albert Einstein's time-dilating general theory of relativity tends to be little more than an afterthought, with films highlighting the inconveniences of interstellar travel definitely in the minority.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of inconveniences

Noun

LaFleur attributed the poor grade to players frustrations over roles and communication regarding critical feedback.

— Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Experts say frustrations over education and employment are emerging as one of the biggest vulnerabilities for the Modi government.

— Priyanka Salve,Raksha Murali, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of frustrations

Noun

Sharks are known to rub against reefs, sand, rocks and even the seafloor to remove irritants.

— Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
The signature blend of ceramides works to strengthen and support the skin’s natural barrier, which helps lock in moisture while defending against environmental irritants like pollutants and allergens.

— Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 23 July 2026

Definition of irritants

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“Plights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plights. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of plights

noun

verb

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