1
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
2
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
3
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
4
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
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Recent Examples of difficulty
Portraying scenes that were set in eras during which the punishment women faced for adultery was death, artists including Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens and Tintoretto explored religious disciplinary processes and the difficulties of pronouncing moral judgments.
—
Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2025
Symptoms of the disease include memory loss, trouble with language, feeling irritable, having trouble chewing and swallowing, and difficulty sleeping.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 29 July 2025
This strategy will continue despite pressure on their finances, regional analysts say , due to the extreme difficulty of tracking informal, cash-only transactions.
—Natasha Turak,emma Graham, CNBC, 29 July 2025
Given the difficulties and costs of international adoption, agencies... have decided to cease their international adoption programs.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2025
Symptoms of the disease include memory loss, trouble with language, feeling irritable, having trouble chewing and swallowing, and difficulty sleeping.
—Raven Brunner, People.com, 29 July 2025
This strategy will continue despite pressure on their finances, regional analysts say , due to the extreme difficulty of tracking informal, cash-only transactions.
—Natasha Turak,emma Graham, CNBC, 29 July 2025
Given the difficulties and costs of international adoption, agencies... have decided to cease their international adoption programs.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty
Noun
-
Derrick McCray wasn’t about to let sickness, death and hardship derail a 91-year-old barbecue dynasty, not after all his restaurant achieved: catering 18 straight Super Bowls, serving ribs to U.S. presidents and standing as a safe haven through the civil rights era.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
14 July 2025
-
Individuals facing hardship or without access to digital payment methods can apply for exemptions, which are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Startups entering these markets often underestimate the complexity of compliance, auditability and institutional expectations.—
Kevin Meyer,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
The movie explores themes of modern dating, commitment and the complexities of relationships in the Gen Z era.—
Dina Kaur,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
Over the objections of some Federal Trade Commission employees who sent a joint letter to Congress, that agency held a daylong session about how medical care for transgender people was a dangerous fraud.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
21 July 2025
-
With maximum energy density, enhanced safety, and faster charging, nearly all objections to EV adoption would be eliminated.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
What To Know An Atlas Intel poll of 1,935 Americans conducted amid the heat of the Epstein controversy, between July 13 and 18, found that Bondi's approval rating has dropped significantly since she was confirmed in February.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
-
Since then the Epstein controversy has become a major issue for Trump as backlash builds following the release of the DOJ memo.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
That’s coming with a whole lot of complications and betrayal and pressure and disaster.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
21 July 2025
-
Although foreign property ownership is legal in most of the countries on this list, the buying process can present all kinds of complications and costs.—
William P. Barrett,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
One of the legislative wins for Texas conservatives last year was the passing of Senate Bill 17, the nation's second anti-DEI law that banned DEI programs, staff, offices and hiring at Texas public universities but had exceptions for academic courses, research and student groups.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Executives with a 30-year track record at the company are more the rule rather than the exception, P&G has said.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
But there are still some sour grapes about the big tactical dispute in February.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
14 July 2025
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Threads on the South Park subreddit and social media have lit up with foul-mouthed complaints from international fans, most of them directed at Paramount and David Ellison’s Skydance Media, whose $8 billion buyout of Paramount is at the heart of the South Park dispute.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Organizers had to tell Latino members not to attend the vigil for fear ICE agents would show up at the church, the complaint said.—
Sophie Carson,
jsonline.com,
30 July 2025
-
The Kroger in the Holiday Manor Shopping Center and another location on Westport Road both faced complaints to Louisville health department officials regarding the possible presence of rodents, as well.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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