Search Results
Advanced Search
List Builder
Random Word

adversity

When circumstances or a situation works against you, you face adversity.

Adversity, a noun which has been part of the English language for over 800 years, comes from the Latin adversitatem "opposition" and is related to the preposition, versus, a word common in legal or battle language meaning "against." When things seem against you — circumstances or a stoke of bad luck — you are facing adversity. Sometimes people use a form of the phrase, "turning adversity into opportunity/advantage." This refers to the ability some people or companies have to take a bad situation and make it into a successful one.

DEFINITIONS OF: adversity

n a state of misfortune or affliction

“debt-ridden farmers struggling with adversity”

Synonyms:: hard knocks, hardship

Types:: show 13 types...; hide 13 types...; ill-being
lack of prosperity or happiness or health; catastrophe, disaster
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune; extremity
an extreme condition or state (especially of adversity or disease); distress
a state of adversity (danger or affliction or need); affliction
a state of great suffering and distress due to adversity; victimization
adversity resulting from being made a victim; low-water mark, nadir
an extreme state of adversity; the lowest point of anything; miserableness, misery, wretchedness
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune; anguish
extreme distress of body or mind; bitter end
the final extremity (however unpleasant it may be); pressure
an oppressive condition of physical or mental or social or economic distress; throe
hard or painful trouble or struggle; cross, crown of thorns
any affliction that causes great suffering

Type of:: bad luck, ill luck, misfortune, tough luck
an unfortunate state resulting from unfavorable outcomes

n a stroke of ill fortune; a calamitous event

“a period marked by adversities”

Type of:: bad luck, misfortune
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event

Learn Launch

WORD FAMILY

USAGE EXAMPLES