problems

noun

plural of problem
1
as in challenges
something that requires thought and skill for resolution the problem of world hunger

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in questions
an interrogative expression often used to test knowledge there were only 10 problems on the exam, but they were all challenging

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 problems More seats, more problems Part of the solution is fixing predictable design flaws — like ensuring flight attendants can actually see passengers over high privacy walls — early in the development process to avoid last-minute delays. — Edward Russell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026 And that could cause scores of other problems for our country. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026 Our problems are insignificant compared to the thousands of people who have lost their lives. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026 In conversation with Clare Binns, managing director of Picturehouse Cinemas, at the Edinburgh Film Festival’s inaugural UK Film Conference BFI CEO Ben Roberts was candid from the outset about the problems of working for a major public-funding body. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026 China’s renewable sector, like the UK’s but on a larger scale, also faces storage and connection problems, because renewables are intermittent and often far from population centres. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 15 Aug. 2026 His unwillingness to accept blame sometimes leads him to deny that there are problems at all, and could leave GOP leaders in tight races with little reassurance for voters that their concerns are being addressed. — Will Weissert, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026 This will result in healthy plants under less environmental stress, and will present you with fewer insect and disease problems to address. — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 For drivers, don’t forget the experts that contextualize the inevitable problems on your route. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for problems
  1. challenges
  2. questions
  3. issues
  4. matters
  5. troubles
Noun
  • The high risk of – and challenges of addressing – oil spills and other safety incidents in the hostile Arctic climate are another dissuading factor, as are environmental costs of operating there.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The incident and conflicting user experiences highlight some of the challenges of relying on smart devices for critical tasks, like ensuring a furry loved one gets food.
    — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of challenges
Noun
  • As time passes and questions remain unanswered, the film shows how grief connects, relationships change, and new perspectives emerge.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The Demand come out to the stage, and Ricochet questions what Strickland is doing there since the segment is supposed to be about the Trios Championship.
    — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of questions
Noun
  • The Illinois auditor general found several oversight issues with the state's Emergency Management Agency-Office of Homeland Security, which helped coordinate the state's response to COVID-19 and the migrant crisis in the Chicago area.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The meeting was already scheduled to discuss pertinent issues facing the league — among them, the online hate and vitriol directed toward players and other WNBA personnel.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of issues
Noun
  • Emergency responders were expected to be busy dealing with urgent matters for 36 hours as the storm passed Hawaii, with damage assessment expected to begin on Monday, said the governor.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • What matters is finding your people, in whatever form that takes, whether that’s online, in a support group, in one friend who really sees you, or in the stories of strangers who made it through something similar.
    — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of matters
Noun
  • The owner intended to close due to relationship troubles with her husband.
    — Conor Wight, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and his Democratic competitor Amy Acton traded jabs this week after previous troubles came to light in the toss-up race.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of troubles

Browse Nearby Words

problematic
problems
pro bono
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Cite this Entry

“Problems.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/problems. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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