ADVERSITY Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'adversity' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of adversity are mischance , misfortune , and mishap . While all these words mean "adverse fortune or an instance of this," adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune. // had never experienced great adversity

Q: When is it sensible to use 'mischance' instead of 'adversity'?

The words mischance and adversity are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance. // took the wrong road by mischance

Q: When might 'misfortune' be a better fit than 'adversity'?

The meanings of misfortune and adversity largely overlap; however, misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress. // never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune

Q: When can 'mishap' be used instead of 'adversity'?

The synonyms mishap and adversity are sometimes interchangeable, but mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck. // the usual mishaps of a family vacation

adversity

noun

ad-ˈvər-sə-tē

Definition of adversity

as in misfortune

bad luck or an example of this many people came face-to-face with life-altering adversity when the stock market crashed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hardship

something that is a cause for suffering or special effort especially in the attainment of a goal some overcame all the adversities of the Great Depression and rebuilt their fortunes

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How does the noun adversity differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of adversity are mischance, misfortune, and mishap. While all these words mean "adverse fortune or an instance of this," adversity applies to a state of grave or persistent misfortune.

had never experienced great adversity

When is it sensible to use mischance instead of adversity?

The words mischance and adversity are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mischance applies especially to a situation involving no more than slight inconvenience or minor annoyance.

took the wrong road by mischance

When might misfortune be a better fit than adversity?

The meanings of misfortune and adversity largely overlap; however, misfortune may apply to either the incident or conjunction of events that is the cause of an unhappy change of fortune or to the ensuing state of distress.

never lost hope even in the depths of misfortune

When can mishap be used instead of adversity?

The synonyms mishap and adversity are sometimes interchangeable, but mishap applies to an often trivial instance of bad luck.

the usual mishaps of a family vacation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of adversity Beginning as a road trip, then shifting to a punishing vision of hardscrabble life in Accra, the film blossoms into a story of irrevocable bonds forged out of shared adversity. — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026 More than just medals, parents and coaches from both teams told The Beacon-News these squads have helped young athletes learn to overcome adversity, achieve more academically and create long-lasting friendships. — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 Building Coping Mechanisms Youth sports have the power to teach perseverance and overcoming adversity in a way kids may not be able to learn elsewhere, especially in our digital age. — Anna Halkidis, Parents, 1 Aug. 2026 Moore, who is widely viewed as a potential 2028 presidential contender, submitted an essay focused on closing the racial wealth gap and Black Americans’ history of economic advancement in the face of adversity. — Matt Brown, Fortune, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for adversity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adversity

Noun

Poliński said Zosia would likely have been blamed for misfortunes such as disease and famine that often plagued the region in the 17th century, which people sometimes attributed to supernatural activity by the dead.

— Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
And Smith has endured plenty of misfortune on the road while getting walked off in four ballparks this season.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of misfortune

Noun

Ask yourself if waiting would cause a practical problem (like not having transportation) or additional financial hardship (like high-interest credit card debt).

— Dan Avery, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Other exemptions are offered to students who are 21 or older, have a medical condition or disability that cannot be accommodated on campus, married or are a parent, face financial hardship, or are active-duty members of the armed forces or veterans.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of hardship

Noun

However, there were signs of the difficulties clubs faced in concluding their business by 7pm.

— Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
More concerning memory problems may involve difficulty retaining new information in the first place, like repeatedly asking a question without remembering the answer.

— Danielle Zickl, HEALTH, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficulty

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“Adversity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adversity. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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