Synonyms of difficulty

difficulty

noun

ˈdi-fi-(ˌ)kəl-tē 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hardship
• obstacle
• hurdle
• hardness
• adversity
• rigor
• trial
• asperity
• discomfort
• inconvenience
• misfortune
• nuisance
• impediment
• interference
• hindrance
• obstruction
• tribulation
• embarrassment
• tragedy
• handicap
• mishap
• let
• inhibition
• affliction
• encumbrance
• hitch
• deterrent
• stop
• snag
• rub
• knock
• chain
• catch
• hump
• block
• shackle
• clog
• crimp
• pons asinorum
• trammel
• check
• bar
• manacle
• fetter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• opportunity
• advantage
• break

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• complexity
• complication
• headache
• intricacy
• convolution
• trouble
• complicacy
• matter
• annoyance
• fly in the ointment
• side effect
• ramification
• subtlety
• inconvenience
• aftereffect
• technicality
• bitch
• bother

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?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• objection
• exception
• complaint
• question
• challenge
• protest
• criticism
• fuss
• demur
• remonstrance
• stink
• demurrer
• suspicion
• doubt
• demurral
• expostulation
• qualm
• dispute
• misunderstanding
• uncertainty
• compunction
• dissent
• kick
• skepticism
• scruple
• reluctance
• misgiving
• quibble
• quarrel
• censure
• unease
• cavil
• distrust
• mistrust
• squabble
• disobedience
• debate
• argument
• uneasiness
• conflict
• static
• unwillingness
• rebellion
• hassle
• reservation
• niggle
• indetermination
• defiance
• incertitude
• dubitation
• mistrustfulness
• distrustfulness
• misdoubt
• dubiety
• qualmishness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• willingness
• approval
• agreement
• sanction
• acceptance
• compliance
• obedience
• acquiescence
• assent

4

as in controversy

variance of opinion on a matter

the theologian's ongoing difficulties with the Vatican

Synonyms & Similar Words

• controversy
• dispute
• disputation
• debate
• disagreement
• difference
• dissension
• nonconcurrence
• contention
• contestation
• firestorm
• conflict
• struggle
• dissensus
• dissonance
• discord
• clash
• confliction
• collision
• argument
• misunderstanding
• quarrel
• strife
• fight
• combat
• disaccord
• altercation
• divarication
• division
• falling-out
• set-to
• apartness
• kickup
• bicker

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agreement
• consensus
• harmony
• compliance
• acceptance
• accord
• unanimity
• peace
• concord

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of difficulty

In the hot and progressively drier areas of the Southwest, the conifers — such as ponderosa pines or Douglas fir — are having difficulty growing back compared to their hardy competition. — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Or a national wealth tax could attempt to avoid such obvious legal difficulties. — Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

On Sunday morning, Associated Press journalists reported seeing multiple polling places where voting couldn’t begin on time because of difficulties with the new digital technology. — Eldar Emric, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Some Arizona executions had snags When Strada was in Arizona, that state in 2022 resumed executions after a nearly eight-year break, following criticism about an execution that took about two hours as well as difficulties obtaining certain drugs. — Ed White, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026