adversity

[ad-vur-si-tee]

noun

plural

adversities 

1. adverse or unfavorable fortune or fate; a condition marked by misfortune, calamity, or distress.

   Friends will show their true colors in times of adversity.

   Synonyms: misery, trouble, disaster, catastrophe
   Antonyms: prosperity

2. an adverse or unfortunate event or circumstance.

   You will meet many adversities in life.

adversity

/ ədˈvɜːsɪtɪ /

noun

1. distress; affliction; hardship

2. an unfortunate event or incident

Word History and Origins

Origin of adversity¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English adversite, from Anglo-French, from Latin adversitās “opposition”; equivalent to adverse + -ity

Synonym Study

See affliction.

Example Sentences

“I feel like I could go out in Hollywood and handle anything because I handled every piece of adversity that went on in that building,” Johnson said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He developed the skill when he was much younger and now sees it as a lifeline in the face of adversity.

Read more on BBC

On the first day of the month Wednesday night, Game 2 of the National League wild-card series was only four batters old when the Dodgers had some dramatic adversity strike.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The pair went on to help Union win their first league title in 90 years last season after Sykes, like Burgess, overcame adversity in his formative years.

Read more on BBC

"This game doesn't care about adversity. It just cares about the repeated efforts you put in," she said.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• calamity 
• catastrophe 
• crunch 
• difficulty 
• disaster 
• hard times www.thesaurus.com
• hardship 
• misery 
• misfortune 
• mishap 
• sorrow 
• suffering 
• trouble