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
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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
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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?
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in controversy
variance of opinion on a matter
the theologian's ongoing difficulties with the Vatican
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of difficulty
Multiple reports indicate that people with the disease are presenting with flu-like symptoms, including headaches, fevers, and breathing difficulties.
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Dave Wessner, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Verghese said if there’s pathology developing in the brain due to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or dementia, this could manifest not only in cognitive functions like poor memory, poor attention or difficulty remembering things, but also in physical function.
—Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 6 Dec. 2024
The difficulty in observing the corona is why the atmospheric layer to this day carries a high degree of mystery.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024
The difficulty will vary from day to day, and the puzzle creators will try to surprise you sometimes.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for difficulty 
Dave Wessner, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Verghese said if there’s pathology developing in the brain due to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or dementia, this could manifest not only in cognitive functions like poor memory, poor attention or difficulty remembering things, but also in physical function.
—Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 6 Dec. 2024
The difficulty in observing the corona is why the atmospheric layer to this day carries a high degree of mystery.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024
The difficulty will vary from day to day, and the puzzle creators will try to surprise you sometimes.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for difficulty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficulty
Noun
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Then there are the hardships involved with paying for insurance to begin with.Aja Romano, Vox, 7 Dec. 2024
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On Thursday, Anderson appeared at the hearing by video and said the litigations has created a hardship for her.Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Seven Key Themes for 2025 Here are the transformative conversations shaping 2025, with actionable insights for family offices navigating complexity and seeking opportunity.Francois Botha, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
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These differing results highlight the complexity of understanding sugar's role in cancer development and suggest that further investigation is needed to reconcile these findings.Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Burns, then, over the attorneys’ objection, ordered them not to have contact with him about his testimony or his case overall.Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 6 Dec. 2024
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Over defense objections, Judge Maxwell Wiley agreed with prosecutors, who argued that dismissing the first count of second-degree manslaughter eliminates the defense’s concern about a compromise verdict.Gloria Pazmino, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The records put an end to a monthslong controversy over whether Winfrey was paid for endorsing the former Democratic presidential nominee.Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
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After Joaquin Phoenix dropped out of Todd Haynes’ gay romance film in September, just days before filming started, Haynes has spoken out for the first time about the controversy.Them, Them, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Have severe unexpected newborn complication rates 44% lower compared with maternity care hospitals not recognized by U.S. News.Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 11 Dec. 2024
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These delays can lead to more serious health complications down the road — complications that could be prevented with more affordable care.Lisa Abrams, Baltimore Sun, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Both retailers have exceptions to their return policies, including non-returnable items and items with shorter return windows.James Powel, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
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While forced fun/table games is my pet peeve, something about Christmas makes this time of year an exception.Felicity Carter, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Research has distinguished between three simple strategies to deal with neighbor disputes: avoidance of the party whose behavior is experienced as unneighborly; confronting the neighbor face-to-face; and relying on a third party to sort out the issue, e.g. the landlord or even police.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
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Nearly a decade later, a dark storm cloud has descended upon his increasingly unpopular administration, with the resignation of a top Cabinet minister over a dispute about how to manage US president-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats.Lex Harvey, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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So far this fall, Milwaukee DNS has seen a 35% increase in complaints from last year about landlords providing no heat or insufficient heat, WITI-TV (Channel 6) and WTMJ-TV (Channel 4) reported.Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 8 Dec. 2024
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The state said any consumers who have a complaint against LaFontaine Motors of Livonia should call the Office of Investigative Services automotive complaint line at 844-372-8356.Jamie L. LaReau, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near difficulty
Cite this Entry
“Difficulty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficulty. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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