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Synonyms

difficulty

American  
[dif-i-kuhl-tee] / ˈdɪf ɪˌkʌl ti /

noun

plural

difficulties

  1. the fact or condition of being difficult.

  2. Often difficulties. an embarrassing situation, especially of financial affairs.

    Synonyms:
    strait, exigency, fix, plight, quandary, predicament, dilemma

  3. a trouble or struggle.

    Synonyms:
    problem

  4. a cause of trouble, struggle, or embarrassment.

  5. a disagreement or dispute.

  6. reluctance; unwillingness.

  7. a demur; objection.

  8. something that is hard to do, understand, or surmount; an impediment or obstacle.

difficulty British  
/ ˈdɪfɪkəltɪ /

noun

  1. the state or quality of being difficult

  2. a task, problem, etc, that is hard to deal with

  3. (often plural) a troublesome or embarrassing situation, esp a financial one

  4. a dispute or disagreement

  5. (often plural) an objection or obstacle

    he always makes difficulties

  6. a trouble or source of trouble; worry

  7. lack of ease; awkwardness

    he could run only with difficulty
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • predifficulty noun

Etymology

Origin of difficulty

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English difficulte, from Anglo-French, from Latin difficultās, equivalent to difficil(is) difficile + -tās -ty 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A common feature of schizophrenia is difficulty using new information to understand the world.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

According to the NHS, around one in seven couples have difficulty conceiving.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Geryes Bejjani, a 33-year-old Lebanese man, said he had come with friends to "carry a message of peace and coexistence," despite the difficulty of travelling from his homeland which has been dragged into the war.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The difficulty of reopening the strait and bringing the war to a timely conclusion through naval and air power alone has prompted the White House to consider using ground forces.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Over time that difficulty can help you build strength and a sense of purpose.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.