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

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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

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 But breaking through the top of the hydropower station presents its own difficulties. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026 His system corrects for that by comparing each coach against the specific difficulty of what he was actually given, not a league-wide baseline. — Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Of course, making wine from a single clone has its difficulties. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026 The trend has been accelerated by an embrace of countywide voting sites and the difficulty in recruiting poll workers. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 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
  • Miley told People at the time that music is how the two have always stayed bonded, even amid family hardships.
    — Zack Sharf, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Having already weathered so many attacks aimed at diminishing its power, the remaining Iranian leadership, which learned to tolerate hardship in the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, is unlikely to be cowed by further aggression.
    — JAMES F. JEFFREY, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of hardship
Noun
  • If physical gestures serve our relatives just fine, why did our own branch of the family tree gradually favor biological changes in our brains and anatomy that permitted our characteristic complexities in language and precision in speech?
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Beyond bergamot, bitter grapefruit contrasts with warm amber and musk, while petitgrain and earthy vetiver add complexity.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of complexity
Noun
  • The sale has drawn objections from the flight attendants union and a software firm that says some of the data isn’t Spirit’s to sell.
    — Jeff Kleinma, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Collins, Scott, and Whitmer spent much of the past year and a half framing their objections as cautionary.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of objection
Noun
  • After many decades of organizing, speaking, writing, agitating — and weathering the constant controversy that courted — Steinem kept going.
    — Adam Carlson, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • George Lucas, for his part, has suggested that bringing the Lucas Museum to fruition—a project beset by delays and controversy that has taken nearly a decade to realize—was a herculean effort.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of controversy
Noun
  • There were also legal complications over the film rights until Schwarzenegger convinced Carolco Pictures, the studio behind Total Recall (1990), to buy everyone out and hire Cameron to make Judgment Day.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Children under the age of 5 who get measles are more likely to develop serious complications, including pneumonia and brain swelling, compared with older kids.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of complication
Noun
  • The law includes several exceptions, including certain vehicles, medical devices and other equipment.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The developers have sought an exception to rules around how much parking can front a nearby boulevard, and will be expected to provide extra landscaping and screening to buffer the parking from nearby properties.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of exception
Noun
  • The planned center for arbitrating investment and commercial disputes, for example, will sit within the Syrian Investment Authority, which is itself attached to the presidency.
    — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Adair died in jail following a dispute with deputies, including Fatherley, who knelt on his back.
    — Sofi Zeman August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of dispute
Noun
  • The singer’s complaint seeks a jury trial and compensatory damages of over $75,000.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
  • When reached for comment on LeVota’s letter, which The Star obtained this week, Garza’s attorney Brianne Thomas called it an act of retaliation and provided a copy of Garza’s complaint to The Star.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of complaint

Browse Nearby Words

difficulties
difficulty
diffidence
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Cite this Entry

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

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