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

That camaraderie has been most vivid in times of adversity.

From Los Angeles Times

But on this night, every moment of adversity was met with an answer.

From Los Angeles Times

WellChild chief executive Matt James added: "Young people like Esmée embody what the WellChild Awards are all about - strength, compassion and the will to help others thrive in the face of adversity."

From BBC

St. John Bosco had two blowout wins to start the season, so Friday’s game was a chance to see what the Braves would do when they needed to respond to adversity.

From Los Angeles Times

In the face of such adversity, Bublik still managed to play with a smile on his face and shared a joke at the net with Sinner following his heavy defeat.

From BBC

Related Words

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