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

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
The new film, which is both written and directed by the franchise’s longtime screenwriter John Hamburg, sees Grande play Olivia Jones, the fiancé of Pam and Greg Focker’s son who now has to endure the tribulations of meeting the parents (and grandparents) before joining the family.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 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

Larry David’s 'Pursuit of Unhappiness' Comedy's favorite curmudgeon teamed up with an A-list cast and a former president for a new HBO sketch comedy show about American history and the inconveniences our historical heroes faced.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 17 July 2026
That’s not to say the park doesn’t sometimes bring him other inconveniences.

— Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of inconveniences

Verb

Having already lost everything, Charlotte is determined to stand firm against the segregated pilgrimage to France and vows not to accept anything less than equal acknowledgment of her son’s sacrifice.

— Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
The almost Bachelorette and most famous of the bunch now vows to find her success on her own.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 17 July 2026

Definition of vows

Noun

What’s off-putting in Future’s search for The Real Me is how often his frustrations turn into resentment toward the women around him.

— Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 15 July 2026
Drivers have made little secret of their frustrations with the new car designs that were introduced this year.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of frustrations

Noun

It’s made from fabrics that are tightly woven or antimicrobial and can prevent irritants from settling into the fabric.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Researchers documented officers tackling or pinning people to the ground and using chemical irritants, rubber bullets and tasers.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 July 2026

Definition of irritants

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“Plights.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plights. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of plights

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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