DIFFICULTY Synonyms: 164 Similar and Opposite Words

difficulty

noun

ˈdi-fi-(ˌ)kəl-tē

Definition of difficulty

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

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

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

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

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 difficulty However, a Ukrainian commander interviewed by The War Zone described cable breakage, equipment fragility, and handling difficulties. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026 According to the Pew survey, 71 percent of those earning less than $50,700 annually, adjusted to a three-person household, experienced difficulty paying for at least one basic necessity over the past year. — John Csiszar, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2026 Other drivers included grief, loneliness, relationship difficulties, work and financial strain, health concerns and major life decisions. — Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026 Signs such as numbness, vision changes, fatigue, and difficulty walking can occur in many other neurological disorders. — Bruce Bebo, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for difficulty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty

Noun

Though the tableaux depict hardships endured by a painter born in 1593, Artemisia, the impressions convey yearning, grief, suffering and resilience that transcend centuries.

— Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Widespread civil unrest over teacher shortages and economic hardship escalated across France over the weekend as rioters clashed with police and stormed public buildings.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of hardship

Noun

The incumbent senator accused his critics of lying about the controversy before acknowledging that his office sent patients with unpaid bills to collections.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
His season, which aired from September to November of that year, was plagued with controversy when Owens made headlines for comments about his dating age requirements before the show filmed.

— Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of controversy

Noun

Soft Stonewashed Sheets Sijo LuxeWeave Linen Sheet Set Linen sheets aren’t usually known for being soft, but these are an exception.

— Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2026
Airbnb said exceptions may apply in certain circumstances, such as requiring guests to put trash in animal-proof containers in areas with bears.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of exception

Noun

But the movement has widened to include workers demanding relief from rising living costs, making the government’s task broader than resolving a dispute over university admissions.

— Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Debt, the deficit and high interest rates limit the government’s ability to increase spending and foreshadow disputes over how to fund campaign promises without jeopardizing social programs.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of dispute

Noun

Davis’s letter follows a separate ethics complaint filed by a conservative watchdog group to the Senate Select Committee on Ethics over Slotkin’s University of Chicago remarks, first reported by the Washington Examiner on Tuesday.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
According to the complaint, an internal review found that just five brokers controlled 6,345 Ticketmaster accounts holding 246,407 tickets.

— James LaForge, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of complaint

Browse Nearby Words

difficulties

difficulty

diffidence

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of difficulty

noun

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