adversity
[ad-vur-si-tee]
- adverse or unfavorable fortune or fate; a condition marked by misfortune, calamity, or distress: Friends will show their true colors in times of adversity.
- an adverse or unfortunate event or circumstance: You will meet many adversities in life.
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Origin of adversity
Synonyms
See more synonyms for adversity on Thesaurus.com1. catastrophe, disaster; trouble, misery.
Synonym study
2. See affliction.
Antonyms
1. prosperity.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for adversity
Contemporary Examples
They are stories of persecution and triumph, adversity and strength.
Quorum: Global LGBT VoicesDecember 10, 2014
No matter what adversity or fear we may confront, we are always inherently free to choose how to be.
She has inspired us all with her courage in the face of adversity and her strength for never giving up.
How she triumphed over the adversity in her life is what makes her such a powerful role model for generations of women.
And yet these A-listers seem to have that “strength in adversity” image down cold.
Historical Examples
Yet, measured according to the stern standards of adversity, Mary was fortunate.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
It will blunt the keen edge of sorrow, and smooth the asperities of adversity.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. IFrancis Augustus Cox
That part of your friend which it is your privilege to contemplate in your adversity.
The Devil's DictionaryAmbrose Bierce
To fight it out, shoulder to shoulder with my brethren in adversity.
The Black BagLouis Joseph Vance
But the great Wampanoag chief was not a man to yield to adversity.
King PhilipJohn S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) Abbott
adversity
- distress; affliction; hardship
- an unfortunate event or incident
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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
Word Origin and History for adversity
n.
c.1200, aduersite "misfortune, hardship, difficulty," from Old French aversité "adversity, calamity, misfortune; hostility, wickedness, malice" (Modern French adversité), from Latin adversitatem (nominative adversitas) "opposition," from adversus (see adverse).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper