1
as in hardships
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in complications
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 objections
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 controversies
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 difficulties
Just as enterprising librarians and archivists met the difficulties of their day with novel solutions, now a new generation looked for ways to adapt to the overflow.
—
Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
On Friday, Hoda Kotb, who co-anchored TODAY with Savannah from 2017 until January 2025, returned to the show to talk about the worry the team feels for their friend, and all the times Savannah has been there for them while facing their own difficulties.
—Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026
For all the difficulties of being an independent filmmaker, what keeps you doing it?
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Stewart has immediate experience with the difficulties of repeating.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Ingrid is arguably the character having the most difficulties with the contemporary world, where the princess getup is part of her job.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
Elon Musk believes the best way to solve the difficulties of building AI data centers on earth is to move them into outer space.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
The outlook worsened after a report that Nvidia's deal with OpenAI to invest as much as $100 billion was facing difficulties, Hickey said.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
Chemical irritants affect the eyes, skin and lungs first, causing scratches to the surface of the eye, painful skin reactions, breathing difficulties and acute psychological distress.
—Michele Heisler, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
On Friday, Hoda Kotb, who co-anchored TODAY with Savannah from 2017 until January 2025, returned to the show to talk about the worry the team feels for their friend, and all the times Savannah has been there for them while facing their own difficulties.
—Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026
For all the difficulties of being an independent filmmaker, what keeps you doing it?
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Stewart has immediate experience with the difficulties of repeating.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Ingrid is arguably the character having the most difficulties with the contemporary world, where the princess getup is part of her job.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026
Elon Musk believes the best way to solve the difficulties of building AI data centers on earth is to move them into outer space.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
The outlook worsened after a report that Nvidia's deal with OpenAI to invest as much as $100 billion was facing difficulties, Hickey said.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
Chemical irritants affect the eyes, skin and lungs first, causing scratches to the surface of the eye, painful skin reactions, breathing difficulties and acute psychological distress.
—Michele Heisler, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulties
Noun
-
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
-
The hardships awaiting these Palestinians in a devastated homeland may outweigh the trials of their journey.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The transfers create jurisdictional complications for habeas corpus petitions challenging detention.—
Ben Fenwick,
Oklahoma Watch,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The chase was over, ended without injuries — but not without legal and political complications now unfolding.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Loud objections left commissioners calling for order and taking a recess.—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, a high-speed rail proposal between Dallas and Fort Worth is stuck in limbo, stemming from objections to where a route would connect in Dallas, per KERA.—
Sasha Richie,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
More recently, controversies like a Pokemon card game event that was originally planned to be held at a shrine to honor Japan’s war dead still triggered angry comments on Chinese social media, but no obvious broader repercussions.—
Chan Ho-Him,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Years of high-profile controversies — plea deals, pardons and investigations that feel politicized depending on who is involved — have left Americans skeptical that justice is blind.—
Kaitlyn Buss,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As indie film buyers and sellers prepare to come together at the European Film Market in Berlin, there is a sense that, although the arthouse market is fragmented and not a little divided, the leaders in the field are adapting to the ever-evolving complexities of the specialty world.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2026
-
With over a dozen years of experience as a founder, 42-year-old Griffiths has first-hand experience with the social complexities and emotional toll of entrepreneurism.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The courts have granted exceptions to search without a search warrant and each specific incident should be reviewed based on its facts.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Because the government has halted refugee programs, with a few exceptions, IRIS has no new refugees – people who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, violence or persecution – to help settle.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At least five competing proposals have emerged from major coalitions, several of which have fractured in recent days as internal disputes deepened.—
JACQUELINE CHARLES MIAMI HERALD,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
At least five competing proposals have emerged from major coalitions, several of which have fractured in recent days as internal disputes deepened.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Under the new ordinance, the city would not be able to investigate claims of discrimination at all, instead referring residents who make complaints to other resources, or to applicable state and federal agencies.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Jorge Arreaza, a lawmaker and former minister of foreign affairs, went outside and allowed some families of political prisoners inside to hear their complaints.—
Carmen Sesin,
NBC news,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Difficulties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulties. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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