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

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 adversity But with over 2,100 comments on the post so far, many people have hailed her professionalism in the face of such adversity. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025 That album’s existence might seem to suggest a success story, about an artist triumphing over adversity. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025 Perryman just getting her life on track when the shooting happened, said her mother Newman, following a troubled childhood and adult adversity. Zuri Primos, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2025 Nimmo joked that the Mets at least waited longer for adversity this year. Tim Britton, New York Times, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for adversity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversity
Noun
  • Escobar had the misfortune of stepping into the shadow of the past season with skeletons in her closet.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 5 June 2025
  • Plenty of other contenders faced similar misfortune.
    Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • Even a temporary loss of the plane—which is a workhorse for long-haul flights—could be a hardship for both the airlines and the flying public.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 13 June 2025
  • Machado spoke of a country transformed by hardship.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • Each of these tragedies reverberates through their departments and communities, amplifying the sense of vulnerability and loss.
    Jillian E. Snider, Boston Herald, 13 June 2025
  • Just hours before the accident, Kapur made a tribute to the Air India plane crash tragedy.
    StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Other affected services, including delivery and messaging platforms, report similar difficulties, leading to consumer frustration.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
  • The difficulty in passing the bill may not be opposition.
    Time, Time, 12 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Adversity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversity. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

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