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
Relevance
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
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 difficulties
The company is subject to various risks, including the lack of current operations, reliance on a merger or acquisition to generate revenue, and potential difficulties in securing additional financing.
—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 25 Mar. 2025
However, what is abundantly clear is that in today’s complex work environments, genuine positivity holds the most power when combined with the courage to confront difficulties head-on.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Many of the mobile clinics work in silos and Medi-Cal resources can be restrictive, with clients facing difficulties meeting criteria.
—Emma Hall, Sacramento Bee, 25 Mar. 2025
But Williams’s prosecution was soon delayed by improbable difficulties in keeping him confined.
—Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Our population is aging, and the bureaucrats who are making these decisions seem oblivious to the needs/difficulties of the elderly.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025
Cholinesterase inhibitors Alzheimer’s disease hijacks the brain by slowly destroying its nerve cells, which triggers a cascade of cognitive turmoil like gradually escalating forgetfulness, difficulties with planning or organizing, and an uptick in confusion or moodiness.
—Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 24 Mar. 2025
Delays in processing claims have been linked to several factors, including high claim volumes and challenges with the labor department’s new computer system, which has led to a backlog due to difficulties with ID verification.
—Jessica Alvarado Gamez, The Denver Post, 23 Mar. 2025
As many as 1 in 6 kids have sensory processing difficulties, according to a survey completed by JAMA Pediatrics.
—Taylor Grothe, Parents, 1 Mar. 2025
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 25 Mar. 2025
However, what is abundantly clear is that in today’s complex work environments, genuine positivity holds the most power when combined with the courage to confront difficulties head-on.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Many of the mobile clinics work in silos and Medi-Cal resources can be restrictive, with clients facing difficulties meeting criteria.
—Emma Hall, Sacramento Bee, 25 Mar. 2025
But Williams’s prosecution was soon delayed by improbable difficulties in keeping him confined.
—Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Our population is aging, and the bureaucrats who are making these decisions seem oblivious to the needs/difficulties of the elderly.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025
Cholinesterase inhibitors Alzheimer’s disease hijacks the brain by slowly destroying its nerve cells, which triggers a cascade of cognitive turmoil like gradually escalating forgetfulness, difficulties with planning or organizing, and an uptick in confusion or moodiness.
—Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 24 Mar. 2025
Delays in processing claims have been linked to several factors, including high claim volumes and challenges with the labor department’s new computer system, which has led to a backlog due to difficulties with ID verification.
—Jessica Alvarado Gamez, The Denver Post, 23 Mar. 2025
As many as 1 in 6 kids have sensory processing difficulties, according to a survey completed by JAMA Pediatrics.
—Taylor Grothe, Parents, 1 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulties
Noun
-
Delgado and Renna said the hardships and near-misses of early-season disappointments set the stage for Tuesday’s triumphs.—
Mark Puleo,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Starting in the suburban, Southern California skate punk scene, the group’s lyrics around relationships, teenage angst, friendships, hardships, reunion, and maturity have gained them a cult following.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Her cause of death was complications of acute liver failure, per the obituary.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
3 Jan. 2025
-
This is where employers and healthcare business leaders can step in to help patients and employees receive the best care possible to avoid further complications and help improve patient and employee outcomes across the board.—
Ahzam Afzal,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Congressional Republicans have raised no objections to the massive, indiscriminate firings of employees in many government offices and federal organizations initiated by Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.—
Mordechai Gordon,
Hartford Courant,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Despite these objections, commissioners have said that rejecting rate increases would force PG&E to borrow money to cover its expenses, raising the cost of borrowing and potentially leading to additional costs for ratepayers.—
Ari Plachta,
Sacramento Bee,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
That means the lower courts will have the final say on many important controversies.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
3 Jan. 2025
-
This year’s ceremony is the second under new leadership after the Hollywood Foreign Press Association was dissolved following controversies including allegations the HFPA had no Black members, ran smear campaigns and engaged in questionable financial practices.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
As each year passes, the complexities of cybersecurity and the more sophisticated threats grow.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
What the seventh art has been notoriously bad at is exploring the concept of female desire, in all of its complexities and clandestine, dark-corner complications.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
With few exceptions, it is contained within a red border, and the magazine’s logo has remained pretty much the same since the 1990s.—
Sam Jacobs,
TIME,
24 Mar. 2025
-
While reports from the Office of Justice Programs do suggest that children of criminals and abusers are more likely to exhibit deviant behavior, there are always exceptions.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The statement named four representatives who were investigated after complaints, along with several who were not named.—
Brady Knox,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
30 Dec. 2024
-
In turn, higher employee staff care was associated with lower irritation, fewer psychosomatic complaints, and better overall health.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Iyengar added that today’s political believers are also willing to overlook any possible disagreements on public policy matters.—
John Scott Lewinski,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Previous ceasefire efforts have collapsed due to disagreements over the terms of hostage releases and Israel's demand for Hamas to disarm—something Hamas has repeatedly refused to do.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difficulties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulties. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share