1
as in hardship
something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal
the many difficulties that he encountered on the road from poor orphan to head of a major corporation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in complexity
something that makes a situation more complicated or difficult
there was a minor difficulty when we realized that the store had already closed
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in objection
a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent
the only difficulty I have with the dress is its color—does it come in anything besides purple?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in controversy
variance of opinion on a matter
the theologian's ongoing difficulties with the Vatican
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of difficulty
Some symptoms include heartburn, difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, chest pain, and chronic cough.
Lizzo, also known as Melissa Viviane Jefferson, has experimented with various strategies to improve her health, including a brief period as a vegan.
—
Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 3 July 2025
Exposure to lead can cause cognitive damage, developmental delays, difficulty learning and behavioral problems in children.
—Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025
Real Madrid also had reservations due to financial difficulties on the back of the pandemic, so Chelsea, who were recruiting from a position of strength after a transfer ban, jumped in and agreed to a £71million ($91.3m at current exchange rates) record-breaking move.
—Gregg Evans, New York Times, 2 July 2025
Despite the difficulties, Cyrus chooses not to have surgery, fearing a change in her voice.
—Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 3 July 2025
Exposure to lead can cause cognitive damage, developmental delays, difficulty learning and behavioral problems in children.
—Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025
Real Madrid also had reservations due to financial difficulties on the back of the pandemic, so Chelsea, who were recruiting from a position of strength after a transfer ban, jumped in and agreed to a £71million ($91.3m at current exchange rates) record-breaking move.
—Gregg Evans, New York Times, 2 July 2025
Despite the difficulties, Cyrus chooses not to have surgery, fearing a change in her voice.
—Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty
Noun
-
Deferment for financial hardship would also end, though borrowers in default can now rehabilitate their loans twice instead of once.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
-
School board Chairperson Jeanne Berger said in a meeting that Stacy's raise was approved in January 2020, before the pandemic contributed to the district's financial hardships.—
Jolene Almendarez,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
As Ernest Burkhart, a simple-minded man manipulated to do unspeakable things, DiCaprio presents his character's moral conflict with complexity.—
Derek Lawrence,
EW.com,
13 July 2025
-
However, depending on the scale of games, concentrating these matches into a limited number of venues may add complexity around coordinating TV broadcast timings, match sequencing, fan transportation logistics, and stadium turnaround times.—
Claire Poole,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
His objection automatically ended debate, per Council rules, and led Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, who spoke favorably of the resolution, to send it to the Committee on Civil Rights, Immigrant Advancement and Racial Equity.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
10 July 2025
-
About 4,000 Army National Guard troops have been training at the Los Alamitos base since June 8, when they were federalized — over the objection of Gov. Gavin Newsom — on orders from President Donald Trump.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
The controversy in Spain echoes similar issues in Portugal, where Rabbi Daniel Litvak of Oporto was arrested in 2022 amid investigations into fraudulent citizenship applications linked notably to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.—
Orge Castellano,
Sun Sentinel,
7 July 2025
-
Social Security has become a lightening rod for controversy since Trump’s inauguration in January.—
Alicia Adamczyk,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Insulin resistance occurs when cells don't respond to insulin, leading to high blood glucose and potential health complications.—
Bryant Stamford,
The Courier-Journal,
10 July 2025
-
Another complication, Wright said, is the ongoing plans to potentially close DOC facilities, such as Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Any exceptions lawmakers want to carve out must be backed by a strong state interest that increases protections for minors.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
-
The United States economy is vastly different from ancient Rome’s, with one important exception: there remains today the same temptation to finance public promises with money created out of thin air.—
Dave Birnbaum,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
But there are still some sour grapes about the big tactical dispute in February.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
14 July 2025
-
Threads on the South Park subreddit and social media have lit up with foul-mouthed complaints from international fans, most of them directed at Paramount and David Ellison’s Skydance Media, whose $8 billion buyout of Paramount is at the heart of the South Park dispute.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
The Van Tine lawsuit, filed earlier last month, asserts some of the same allegations as the Ornelas complaint.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
-
Ironically, the complaint in question was never even sustained, meaning the civilian investigators ultimately found no misconduct by officers.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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