adversity

[ ad-vur-si-tee ]

/ ædˈvɜr sɪ ti /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: adversity / adversities on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural ad·ver·si·ties for 2.

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR adversity

1 catastrophe, disaster; trouble, misery.

See synonyms for adversity on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR adversity

1 prosperity.

See antonyms for adversity on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of adversity

1200–50; Middle English adversite (<Anglo-French ) <Latin adversitās.See adverse, -ity

synonym study for adversity

2. See affliction.

Words nearby adversity

adversely, adverse possession, adverse pressure gradient, adverse reaction, adverse selection, adversity, advert, advertence, advertency, advertent, advertise

How to use adversity in a sentence

I feel like road games are the best because you’ve got people going at you, and you’ve got a little bit more adversity.
Virginia pulls away from Georgia Tech, tightens grip on first place in ACC|Gene Wang|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
Stories about overcoming adversity and always, always sticking together.
How Three Minor League Teams Saved Hometown Baseball|Nick Fouriezos|February 3, 2021|Ozy
So I guess sometimes you learn a lot more from defeat and adversity than you do from winning.
Steve Spagnuolo’s defense frustrated Tom Brady in a Super Bowl. They’ll meet up again Sunday.|Cindy Boren|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
Obviously a lot of adversity the first little bit here, and he’s been our best player every night, and we’re pretty lucky to have him back there right now.
Alex Ovechkin returns, scores overtime winner as Capitals beat Bruins, 4-3|Samantha Pell|January 31, 2021|Washington Post

“We’ve got a little bit of adversity right now and we’re still finding a way to get points, and I think in the long run that’s going to be very big for us,” Oshie said.
Shorthanded Capitals edge the Islanders on Justin Schultz’s late goal|Samantha Pell|January 27, 2021|Washington Post
They are stories of persecution and triumph, adversity and strength.
Quorum: Global LGBT Voices||December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
No matter what adversity or fear we may confront, we are always inherently free to choose how to be.
How One Lawsuit Shows What’s Wrong With America|James Poulos|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She has inspired us all with her courage in the face of adversity and her strength for never giving up.
Gabby Giffords and the Problem with ‘Inspiration Porn’|Elizabeth Heideman|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
How she triumphed over the adversity in her life is what makes her such a powerful role model for generations of women.
Eleanor Roosevelt: Feminist Icon|Eleanor Clift|September 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And yet these A-listers seem to have that “strength in adversity” image down cold.
Face It—We Rubes Will Never Live Like Gwyneth and Jennifer Aniston|Rachel Bertsche|July 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even God may look with pleasure upon a brave man struggling against adversity.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
The blasts of adversity were necessary to winnow the spurious and false away, and to leave the tried and true behind.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
And therefore he never withdraweth his mercy from us: but though he chastise his people with adversity he forsaketh them not.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
The former says:—'I condemn thy teaching; it is (mere) adversity.'
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer
It is characteristic of the Germans to bring an accusation like that against a brave and innocent man in adversity.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, November 4, 1914|Various

British Dictionary definitions for adversity

adversity

/ (ədˈvɜːsɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

distress; affliction; hardship

an unfortunate event or incident

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

adversity

OTHER WORDS FOR adversity

OPPOSITES FOR adversity

Origin of adversity

synonym study for adversity

Words nearby adversity

Words related to adversity

How to use adversity in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for adversity