ADVERSITY Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'adversity' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of adversity are mischance , misfortune , and mishap . While all these words mean "adverse fortune or an instance of this," adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune. // had never experienced great adversity

Q: When is it sensible to use 'mischance' instead of 'adversity'?

The words mischance and adversity are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance. // took the wrong road by mischance

Q: When might 'misfortune' be a better fit than 'adversity'?

The meanings of misfortune and adversity largely overlap; however, misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress. // never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune

Q: When can 'mishap' be used instead of 'adversity'?

The synonyms mishap and adversity are sometimes interchangeable, but mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck. // the usual mishaps of a family vacation

adversity

noun

ad-ˈvər-sə-tē

Definition of adversity next

as in misfortune

bad luck or an example of this many people came face-to-face with life-altering adversity when the stock market crashed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hardship

something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal some overcame all the adversities of the Great Depression and rebuilt their fortunes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun adversity differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of adversity are mischance, misfortune, and mishap. While all these words mean "adverse fortune or an instance of this," adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune.

had never experienced great adversity

When is it sensible to use mischance instead of adversity?

The words mischance and adversity are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance.

took the wrong road by mischance

When might misfortune be a better fit than adversity?

The meanings of misfortune and adversity largely overlap; however, misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress.

never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune

When can mishap be used instead of adversity?

The synonyms mishap and adversity are sometimes interchangeable, but mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck.

the usual mishaps of a family vacation

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of adversity Fernandez said the team needed to fight through adversity and stop caring about who was taking shots. —

Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026 Otherwise, adversities can spiral, turning a small tech setback into a veritable crisis. —

Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 Through the adversity, the Mets (17-25) are showing signs of life. —

Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026 Whether in the classroom or at the ballpark, King has learned to handle adversity with aplomb. —

Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for adversity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversity

Noun

Does White’s misfortune offer Alexander-Arnold a route back?

— The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Farmers markets — that humble and charming throwback to a bygone era — are also struggling with higher fuel prices, after weathering the economic calamities of the pandemic and other misfortunes.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026