DIFFICULTY Synonyms: 164 Similar and Opposite Words

difficulty

noun

ˈdi-fi-(ˌ)kəl-tē

Definition of difficulty

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

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

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

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 Maja witnessing her parents’ difficulties, quickly learns Danish and consequently shoulders the responsibility of an adult to support them. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026 Despite its popularity, Apple is reportedly having difficulty keeping the laptop in stock. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026 While most reviews are positive, some customers reported long wait times for case resolution and difficulty reaching representatives. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 But the idea that really a violation of xenia, a violation of Zeus’ Law — which is what the suitors are doing in the palace — that really is the [breaking] of Zeus’ Law that is causing this difficulty and this damage. — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for difficulty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty

Noun

As inflation skyrockets in Iran, many civilians will feel the bite of poverty and hardship in the coming months, said Hadi Kahalzadeh, economist and non-resident fellow at the Quincy Institute.

— Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
While medical providers sometimes negotiate directly with patients before accounts reach collections, debt relief may become more useful if other unsecured debts are also creating financial hardship.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of hardship

Noun

Trump made the threat a day after the Senate Judiciary Committee postponed a vote to advance Blanche’s nomination over objections from Sens.

— Daniela Suarez, NBC news, 31 July 2026
This was a World Cup where fans, and at times players and teams, participated in spite of their objections to how things were being run, not because of them.

— Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of objection

Noun

The next few items on Takaichi’s agenda – the anti-espionage law and the foreign intelligence service – will likely court even more controversy.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Ancelotti selected the former Barcelona winger for the tournament despite controversy over his fitness and form, having only made 15 appearances for Santos before the World Cup this year.

— Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of controversy

Noun

Each of Marvel’s Spider-Man movies adds a new complication to Peter’s not-so-secret identity, and No Way Home sees Peter flee from the consequences of being unmasked.

— Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Typically, front office exits such as Yzerman’s occur in mid-April; starting a search in mid-July creates obvious potential complications — namely, that training camp begins in seven weeks.

— Max Bultman, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of complication

Noun

Congress granted veterans who served at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune an exception because of severe groundwater contamination that sickened thousands of veterans and their families who served and lived on the base between 1953 and 1987.

— Nicole Borman, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Prescription liquids, gels, and aerosols Medication prescribed specifically for you is perhaps the most common item that qualifies as an exception.

— Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026

Definition of exception

Noun

Rezaei accused Washington of violating the memorandum of understanding and launching attacks without first referring the issue to the dispute resolution committee.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
The latest dispute in House centers on whether the College Sports Commission has the authority to review NIL agreements involving multimedia rights companies.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of dispute

Browse Nearby Words

difficulties

difficulty

diffidence

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Style

“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of difficulty

noun

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