as in predicament
a very bad or difficult situation
—usually singular
The recent cut in funding will only contribute to the hospital's financial plight. the plight of the unemployed
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plight
Gregg Evans, New York Times, 14 May 2026
The Warsaw Rising Museum illustrates the plight of the Polish underground and the 63-day-long resistance against the German occupation.
—Kasia Dietz, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
Gina Lee Castro, Journal Sentinel, 11 Oct. 2024
Not for months, but for years, plighting their troth.
—Guy Martin, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for plight
Noun
Slot is sympathetic to Elliott’s plight.
—Gregg Evans, New York Times, 14 May 2026
The Warsaw Rising Museum illustrates the plight of the Polish underground and the 63-day-long resistance against the German occupation.
—Kasia Dietz, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
Verb
Latino history in the U.S. is plighted with systemic issues from mass deportations in the 1920s and 1930s, to poor working conditions for farm workers, to segregated schools, to arrests and stereotypes during the war on drugs.
—Gina Lee Castro, Journal Sentinel, 11 Oct. 2024
Not for months, but for years, plighting their troth.
—Guy Martin, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for plight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plight
Noun
-
This predicament might be worth drastic measures.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
-
This predicament has been complicated by the president’s unprecedented attempt to influence programming at the wider institution.—
Kelsey Ables,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Verb
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In an effort to sway Altman, Musk's team invited him for a tour of a Tesla factory and promised him a board seat at Tesla.—
Ashley Capoot,Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
The producers promise a celebration of Broadway’s full season.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Renter Mandy Feng, who prefers to use a pseudonym for fear of being seen criticizing the authorities, said the stimulus the government is offering has failed to offset people’s anxiety over an uncertain economic outlook.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
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As anyone who deals with anxiety knows, one of its chief triggers is uncertainty.—
Tom Dotan,
Vanity Fair,
17 May 2026
Verb
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The two Republicans, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton, spoke of a halcyon California destroyed by feckless Democrats and vowed a return to those days.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
However, Havana has rejected past overtures — including Washington’s recent offer of $100 million in aid — while the regime has vowed to hold on to power despite rising domestic and foreign pressures.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
There are alternative routes for vessels if Malacca is blocked, meaning a closure could prove more of an inconvenience than an absolute barrier to trade.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
16 May 2026
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These small inconveniences can cumulatively lead to inefficiencies and breakdowns in collaboration.—
Thomas Berndorfer,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Hughes shattered the Wild’s regular-season and playoff record book, and the Wild mortgaged the future to get him, so they’ll be motivated to give him a payday.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Stop mortgaging our future for vanity projects.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The new film, which is both written and directed by the franchise’s longtime screenwriter John Hamburg, sees Grande play Olivia Jones, the fiancé of Pam and Greg Focker’s son who now has to endure the tribulations of meeting the parents (and grandparents) before joining the family.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
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That was Mark Critchley’s cue to interview Maguire about his tribulations in Manchester (and his harder times with the England national team, too).—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The two got engaged in 2014 and have remained affianced since.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
Peoplemag,
5 May 2023
-
Alexandra Crotin, a rep for Stone, later confirmed to USA TODAY the actress and writer are now affianced.—
Charles Trepany,
USA TODAY,
5 Dec. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Plight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plight. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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