1
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
2
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of adversity
Apponequet girls roll In 2022, Apponequet was faced with adversity on and off the court.
—
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
There’s also the good, sure work of Chris Cooper as an honest man struggling against adversity, and the reserved but effective portrayal rendered by Schroder.
—Miles Beller, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
And later — when the brutality ever present in this sport of beauty extracted its pound of flesh from Glenn — she was equipped to deal with professional adversity.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Research on the theory of social learning, by the psychologist Albert Bandura and others, shows that children develop coping strategies by observing how their parents respond to adversity.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adversity
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
There’s also the good, sure work of Chris Cooper as an honest man struggling against adversity, and the reserved but effective portrayal rendered by Schroder.
—Miles Beller, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
And later — when the brutality ever present in this sport of beauty extracted its pound of flesh from Glenn — she was equipped to deal with professional adversity.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Research on the theory of social learning, by the psychologist Albert Bandura and others, shows that children develop coping strategies by observing how their parents respond to adversity.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adversity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversity
Noun
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There’s some luck involved with that, but there’s far more to it than misfortune.—
Sam McDowell
February 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2026
-
This was a window where Villa had to adjust to injury misfortune and, all the while, satisfy Emery’s wishes for improvement.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Economic hardship is pushing workers to choose cheaper travel options, some taking 30-hour trains instead of faster, costlier alternatives.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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The hardships sparked mass emigration and economic collapse, leaving an even deeper mark — one that still surfaces in quiet dinners with strangers like us.—
Marlise Kast-Myers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The death happened four years after a previous tragedy near Northstar.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
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Worst mass shootings in Canada's history The attack on the village of Tumbler Ridge is among the worst shootings in the history of Canada, where such tragedies are relatively rare.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
However, semiconductor analysts broadly agree with Cheng’s assessment that Washington’s most ambitious onshoring plans are unfeasible, citing the difficulties of relocating such an advanced supply chain.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
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For serious symptoms, like difficulty breathing or rash with a fever, get immediate medical attention.—
Ruth Jessen Hickman,
Health,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adversity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversity. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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