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
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 difficulty
Copperhead bites can cause serious symptoms, including difficulty breathing.
—
Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026
Sánchez’s left-wing government is facing difficulties, including corruption scandals, while more conservative voices, such as the nationalist-populist right-wing party Vox, are rising in popularity.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
These mound hurlers had six-weeks of spring training to work out their issues and pitching difficulties.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 June 2026
According to experts, difficulty focusing and concentrating is one of the most common signs of insufficient sleep.
—Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026
Sánchez’s left-wing government is facing difficulties, including corruption scandals, while more conservative voices, such as the nationalist-populist right-wing party Vox, are rising in popularity.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
These mound hurlers had six-weeks of spring training to work out their issues and pitching difficulties.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 June 2026
According to experts, difficulty focusing and concentrating is one of the most common signs of insufficient sleep.
—Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty
Noun
-
Frankl later described this ability to find meaning and purpose amid hardship as one of humanity’s greatest freedoms.—
Norman B. Gildin,
Sun Sentinel,
9 June 2026
-
Instead, beneficiaries would continue receiving monthly checks, though reduced — an outcome advocates for older Americans warn could create financial hardship for millions of the program's beneficiaries.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Nursing home operators argued the state failed to properly account for the medical complexity of residents when calculating those payments, reducing reimbursement for facilities caring for some of the sickest patients.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
-
Discover how retailers are approaching complexity across planning, merchandising, pricing, sourcing and inventory management and why connected decision-making is becoming essential for profitable growth.—
SJ Studio,
Footwear News,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The most reasonable objection to this view is that resilience returns are too diffuse to underwrite, that avoided losses do not show up in a project’s revenue line the way tolls or tariffs do.—
Ravi S. Bhalla,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
-
In reality, his rise happened despite the objections of many party insiders, not because of them.—
Matthew Shelter,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Fitzpatrick has pointed to the saloon’s string of viral controversies as a calling card in the crowded race.—
Noah Daly,
Idaho Statesman,
11 June 2026
-
The controversy escalated after a photo of the students was reported to school officials, who believed the cigars were real, according to the report.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Serpell revels in all of the complications and contradictions of Toni Morrison, treating her subject with both reverence and even some skepticism and never settling for the easy conclusion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
When medication becomes a financial burden, adherence drops, and preventable complications rise.—
Nicole F. Roberts,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
But with the exception of one section near Clybourn Avenue, all of Ogden Avenue northeast of the Chicago River's North Branch was later eliminated.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
-
Rogers, of course, is one of the exceptions.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
The Washington National Opera is accusing the Kennedy Center of failing to return more than $17 million in donor funds, escalating a dispute that followed the end of a 15-year partnership between the two institutions.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
12 June 2026
-
According to settlement documents filed May 7 in the Southern District of New York, Baldoni, via his Wayfarer production company, and Lively agreed to settle their ongoing dispute on terms that Lively could still seek to recover attorney's fees and additional damages.—
Angeline Jane Bernabe,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Savneet Talwar was reportedly suspended from teaching and is facing a disciplinary investigation following a student’s complaint about a case study assigned in April.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
9 June 2026
-
Enforcement of the zoning code would be complaint-driven, and violators would be given 30 days to comply with regulations.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
