difficulty

noun

ˈdi-fi-(ˌ)kəl-tē How to pronounce difficulty (audio)
Definition of difficultynext
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 In the 1980s, the town had a population of over 1,000; however, dwindling coal prices, difficulties in coal extraction, and a horrific plane crash all contributed to mining operations stopping in April 1998. — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026 Symptoms include tremors, stiffness, difficulty balancing and slowness of movement. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 27 July 2026 For Chou, the anticipated difficulties of the voyage are more straightforward. — Velvet Wu july 26, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026 Perhaps the Codex Micro’s most interesting feature is a rotary dial that lets the user adjust the agent’s reasoning level depending on the difficulty of the task. — New Atlas, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for difficulty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty
  1. hardship
  2. complexity
  3. objection
  4. controversy
  5. complication
  6. exception
  7. dispute
  8. complaint
Noun
  • The story also reflects the economic hardships afflicting parts of Italian society, the director adds.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 23 July 2026
  • Just as life in industrial urban centers in the nineteenth century caused hardship in rural villages, the profligate lifestyles enjoyed by those of us in the Global North are underwritten by the immiseration of those in the Global South.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
Definition of hardship
Noun
  • Candidates will be imperfect, but seeing complexity over time creates discernment and an understanding that there are some lines that cannot and should not be crossed.
    — Maria Comella, Vanity Fair, 23 July 2026
  • Education for technology leadership Warfare has seen dramatic changes in recent years, with the complexity of decisions increasing at unprecedented rates and new challenges emerging rapidly.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026
Definition of complexity
Noun
  • Last month, the FCC approved a petition by the company to end the service over objections from California utility regulators, many residents and Attorney General Rob Bonta.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026
  • The African group had no objection, but the Latin American countries had several, including Nicaragua, Argentina and Paraguay.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
Definition of objection
Noun
  • Opera Carolina has another new leader heading into its 77th season, as one of the oldest arts groups in Charlotte attempts to stabilize itself following two years of executive turnover and internal controversy.
    — Catherine Muccigrosso July 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
  • For the institution, the calculation is whether keeping the remote possibility of reinstatement alive is worth keeping the controversy alive as well.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of controversy
Noun
  • Despite these complications, Terrace Story delivers a brilliant contemporary fable that chronicles how young people stuck in the saddest timeline can still make meaning.
    — Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
  • Magdalen’s changing, fillable, emotionally ready body is a complication of the traditional emotional body in the prototypical actress novel.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026
Definition of complication
Noun
  • LaFleur has never said much during these conversations, and Thursday’s first day of training camp was no different — with one exception.
    — Doug Haller, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Fresh fruit While fresh fruit such as apples and bananas are allowed in carry-on and checked bags when flying within the continental United States per the solid foods rule, there are some key exceptions.
    — Fiona Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 July 2026
Definition of exception
Noun
  • Jeffrey Baldwin, who founded an advocacy group after fighting his own foreclosure battle, argued a complaint system without enforcement powers would do little to help homeowners facing disputes.
    — Nora O'Neill July 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 July 2026
  • McDonald, though, said national leaders have warned that barring transgender members would open the DAR up to having its tax-exempt status revoked, which McDonald disputes.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • The Star obtained a copy of the warrant and criminal complaint.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • The feud has gotten personal and heated recently, but the complaints date back years.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of complaint

Browse Nearby Words

difficulties
difficulty
diffidence
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on difficulty

Nglish: Translation of difficulty for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of comely

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All