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 The thing is, the problems in the United States aren’t my problems. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 Just as running from my problems was, clearing my mind over the course of many miles, or racing hard, until the adrenaline cleansed me of feeling pain, sadness, disappointment, or rage. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026 Engle says that this home DIY can result in serious problems. — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 15 Oct. 2026 The bigger concern is a shortcut that cracks an entire family of mathematical problems at once, and with it every system built on them. — Chris Stokel-Walker, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026 Their wild overconfidence won’t cause downstream problems for your team, because you’ll already be prepared. — Dorie Clark, Contributor, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 That means crews can spend less time swapping between multiple bulky devices and troubleshooting lighting problems through trial and error. — Matthew Huff, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 However, leaders in Denver and Littleton have pushed back against the proposal, arguing that restricting access to public streets could shift traffic problems into neighboring communities. — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 These are examples of how Swedes like to tackle hard problems. — Jan Larsson, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for problems
  1. challenges
  2. questions
  3. issues
  4. matters
  5. troubles
Noun
  • Others cited recruitment challenges – almost four in ten said attracting top talent is harder in Europe than in the US.
    — Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • And strength to resist reducing complex human challenges to slogans, enemies, or simple answers.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of challenges
Noun
  • Which also added to the broader challenge of navigating a technological environment that evolves almost weekly, alongside important questions about intellectual property and creative rights.
    — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
  • With a cup of black coffee in his hands, Sand took questions from the crowd of roughly 50 attendees in a conversational tone for more than an hour.
    — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of questions
Noun
  • Here is how the Democratic Senate candidates are campaigning on climate and energy issues in competitive states this year, and their stance on the Green New Deal.
    — Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The integrated workflow also supports maintenance and repair, helping the team identify hardware issues and return robots to testing faster.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of issues
Noun
  • For Republicans, well, there’s not much downside at all, except for those that truly despise green power or, perhaps wisely, fear increasing federal authority over local permitting matters.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • That includes Teams data, emails or chats where employees may have discussed health or personal matters.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of matters
Noun
  • Burbank Airport's new terminal faced some opening-day troubles after GPS apps took travelers to the old terminal on Tuesday.
    — Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Since then, she’s gotten into therapy to address the childhood trauma that led to her addiction and subsequent legal troubles.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 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 Oct. 2026.

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