Find English Synonyms for Hardship and Suffering Words – Quiz!

adversity (noun) /ædˈvɜrsɪti/
Meaning: It is a state of misfortune, hardship, or affliction that tests a person's resilience, determination, and ability to cope.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to adversity?
Options: hardship; ease; comfort; prosperity
Answer: hardship
Synonyms: distress; hardship; misery; misfortune; mishap; obstacle; sorrow; suffering; tragedy; trial; woe
Example: "In the face of adversity, she remained resilient and determined to overcome the challenges."

afflict (verb) /əˈflɪkt/
Meaning: It implies the act of causing harm, distress or suffering to someone or something.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to afflict?
Options: torment; comfort; relieve; soothe
Answer: torment
Synonyms: annoy; besiege; bother; burden; distress; harass; hurt; plague; torment; torture; trouble
Example: "If we don't take precautions, the disease will afflict our community."

affliction (noun) /əˈflɪkʃn/
Meaning: An affliction can be a physical or mental illness, a disability, a personal problem, or a difficult circumstance that one has to endure.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to affliction?
Options: suffering; blessing; relief; boon
Answer: suffering
Synonyms: adversity; anguish; disease; grief; misery; misfortune; ordeal; torment; tribulation
Example: "Depression is a common affliction that affects millions of people."

agonize (verb) /ˈaɡənʌɪz/
Meaning: When someone is agonizing, they may be deeply troubled or distressed, perhaps feeling torn between conflicting options or struggling with feelings of guilt, regret, or doubt.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to agonize?
Options: torment; rejoice; delight; enjoy
Answer: torment
Synonyms: anguish; bedevil; exasperate; excruciate; harrow; plague; torment; trouble; worry; writhe
Example: "She began to agonize over the decision of which college to attend."

anguish (noun) /ˈaŋɡwɪʃ/
Meaning: When we use the term "anguish," we emphasize the overwhelming and often painful nature of the emotional or psychological pain experienced by an individual.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to anguish?
Options: torment; joy; happiness; contentment
Answer: torment
Synonyms: agony; grief; heartache; heartbreak; misery; sadness; sorrow; suffering; throe; torment; woe
Example: "He felt a sense of anguish as he watched his dreams slip away."

arduous (adjective) /ˈɑːdjʊəs/
Meaning: When we characterize something as arduous, we emphasize the physical or mental strain and the significant obstacles or hardships involved.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to arduous?
Options: demanding; easy; effortless; simple
Answer: demanding
Synonyms: backbreaking; challenging; demanding; exacting; exhausting; formidable; grueling; Herculean; laborious; onerous; punishing; rigorous
Example: "Counting ballots is an arduous task that requires great effort and concentration."

backbreaking (adjective) /ˈbækˌbreɪ kɪŋ/
Meaning: When something is referred to as backbreaking, it implies that the work is extremely arduous, demanding, and physically taxing.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to backbreaking?
Options: laborious; effortless; easy; simple
Answer: laborious
Synonyms: arduous; demanding; exhausting; formidable; grueling; Herculean; laborious; onerous; punishing; rigorous; strenuous; toilsome
Example: "The construction workers faced backbreaking labor as they carried heavy bricks and materials all day."

barren (adjective) /ˈbarən/
Meaning: It is often associated with desolate and lifeless landscapes, such as arid deserts or rocky, infertile terrain where little or no vegetation can thrive.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to barren?
Options: infertile; fertile; lush; productive
Answer: infertile
Synonyms: arid; bare; bleak; desert; empty; impoverished; infertile; parched; poor; stark; sterile
Example: "The barren landscape stretched for miles, with no signs of vegetation or life."

crucible (noun) /ˈkrusəbəl/
Meaning: In this sense, a crucible is a situation or event that tests one's character, beliefs, or values, often resulting in profound change or growth.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to crucible?
Options: trial; ease; comfort; relief
Answer: trial
Synonyms: adversity; challenge; difficulty; hardship; ordeal; struggle; suffering; test; trial; tribulation
Example: "The war was a crucible for many soldiers, testing their bravery and resilience."

degenerative (adjective) /dɪˈdʒɛn(ə)rətɪv/
Meaning: This term is often used in medical contexts to describe conditions or diseases that cause a progressive loss of function or structural damage to organs, tissues, or cells.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to degenerative?
Options: deteriorating; improving; regenerative; restorative
Answer: deteriorating
Synonyms: decadent; declining; degenerating; deleterious; depressive; deteriorating; deteriorative; devolving; dwindling; regressive; retrograde; retrogressive
Example: "The degenerative condition caused the athlete's career to end prematurely."

deprivation (noun) /ˌdɛp rəˈveɪ ʃən/
Meaning: It implies a deficiency or absence of certain elements or resources that are vital for well-being, fulfillment, or development.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to deprivation?
Options: lack; abundance; plenty; sufficiency
Answer: lack
Synonyms: absence; dearth; deficiency; impoverishment; insufficiency; lack; need; paucity; privation; scarcity; shortcoming; want
Example: "The child's malnourishment was a result of chronic deprivation of proper nutrition."

deprive (verb) /dɪˈpraɪv/
Meaning: When someone or something is deprived, they are left without a fundamental need, privilege, or possession, often resulting in hardship or disadvantage.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to deprive?
Options: withhold; provide; supply; give
Answer: withhold
Synonyms: bankrupt; bereave; defraud; denude; despoil; dispossess; divest; expropriate; impoverish
Example: "The harsh punishment might deprive him of his freedom."

desperate (adjective) /ˈdɛs pər ɪt/
Meaning: It conveys a strong sense of emotional distress, often accompanied by a willingness to do anything to alleviate a difficult or dire situation.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to desperate?
Options: frantic; calm; content; patient
Answer: frantic
Synonyms: anguished; critical; desolate; dire; distressed; exigent; forlorn; frantic; hopeless; needy; urgent
Example: "She made a desperate plea for help as the flames engulfed her home."

dire (adjective) /daɪər/
Meaning: When we characterize something as dire, we emphasize the severity and urgency of the matter, suggesting that immediate attention or action is necessary to prevent or mitigate a potential disaster or crisis.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to dire?
Options: critical; trivial; insignificant; minor
Answer: critical
Synonyms: alarming; critical; desperate; dreadful; extreme; grave; pressing; severe; terrible
Example: "The farmers were struggling to feed their families due to the dire drought conditions."

disgusting (adjective) /dɪsˈgʌs tɪŋ/
Meaning: It is used to express an intense and overwhelming sense of disgust or a profound aversion towards something.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to disgusting?
Options: revolting; appealing; attractive; delightful
Answer: revolting
Synonyms: abhorrent; abominable; detestable; foul; loathsome; nauseating; offensive; repugnant; repulsive; revolting; sickening; vile
Example: "The smell from the dumpster was absolutely disgusting."

drudgery (noun) /ˈdrʌdʒəri/
Meaning: It typically involves routine chores, laborious duties, or uninteresting responsibilities that require significant effort but offer little intellectual or creative stimulation.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to drudgery?
Options: toil; pleasure; enjoyment; leisure
Answer: toil
Synonyms: chore; effort; exertion; graft; grind; labor; skivvying; slog; struggle; tedium; toil; travail
Example: "She had been working in the factory for years, and the drudgery of the job was taking a toll on her mental health."

encumber (verb) /ɪnˈkʌmbə/
Meaning: When we use the term "encumber," we emphasize the act of impeding progress or movement by placing obstacles or burdens in the way.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to encumber?
Options: burden; unburden; lighten; facilitate
Answer: burden
Synonyms: constrain; cramp; hamper; handicap; hinder; impede; load; saddle; shackle; stymie
Example: "Laws shouldn’t encumber innovation, but foster growth and creativity."

excruciating (adjective) /ɪkˈskruːʃɪeɪtɪŋ/
Meaning: When we characterize an experience, sensation, or situation as excruciating, we emphasize the severity of the agony or distress it inflicts, often to the point where it becomes nearly unbearable.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to excruciating?
Options: agonizing; painless; comfortable; soothing
Answer: agonizing
Synonyms: acute; agonizing; exquisite; extreme; harrowing; intense; severe; torturous; unbearable
Example: "The pain in my back was excruciating beyond anything I've felt before."

exhausting (adjective) /ɪgˈzɔ stɪŋ/
Meaning: It implies a state of extreme exertion or effort that leaves one feeling completely depleted.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to exhausting?
Options: draining; invigorating; energizing; refreshing
Answer: draining
Synonyms: arduous; debilitating; demanding; draining; enervating; fatiguing; grueling; sapping; taxing; tiring; wearing; wearying
Example: "The hike up the steep mountain trail was exhausting, but the view from the top was breathtaking."

famine (noun) /ˈfæm ɪn/
Meaning: It is a catastrophic event that occurs when there is a significant disruption in the availability and distribution of food, leading to a significant number of people suffering from malnutrition and even starvation.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to famine?
Options: starvation; abundance; plenty; surplus
Answer: starvation
Synonyms: dearth; destitution; drought; hunger; insufficiency; malnutrition; paucity; scarcity; shortage; starvation
Example: "International organizations worked together to provide relief during the devastating famine."

flounder (verb) /ˈflaʊndə/
Meaning: Flounder refers to the act of It can also refer to the state of being in such a situation.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to flounder?
Options: struggle; succeed; excel; thrive
Answer: struggle
Synonyms: blunder; bumble; dither; falter; flop; flummox; fumble; hesitate; lurch; muddle; stagger; stumble
Example: "The economy will flounder due to poor management."

grievous (adjective) /ˈɡriːvəs/
Meaning: When we characterize a situation, event, or injury as grievous, we emphasize the gravity and significant impact it has on individuals or communities.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to grievous?
Options: severe; mild; minor; insignificant
Answer: severe
Synonyms: agonizing; appalling; atrocious; deplorable; dire; distressing; dreadful; glaring; harrowing; heartrending; heinous; lamentable
Example: "The accident caused a grievous injury to his leg."

grueling (adjective) /ˈɡruɪlɪŋ/
Meaning: It is typically used to describe tasks, activities, or experiences that require a significant amount of effort, endurance, and resilience in order to be completed or overcome.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to grueling?
Options: exhausting; effortless; easy; simple
Answer: exhausting
Synonyms: draining; exhausting; laborious; punishing; rigorous; strenuous; taxing; tiring; wearing
Example: "The marathon was a grueling test of endurance for all the runners."

hapless (adjective) /ˈhapləs/
Meaning: When we characterize an individual as hapless, we emphasize their chronic lack of good luck or their tendency to be caught in difficult or unfavorable situations.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to hapless?
Options: unlucky; fortunate; lucky; blessed
Answer: unlucky
Synonyms: cursed; damned; doomed; forlorn; jinxed; miserable; unfavorable; unhappy; wretched
Example: "The hapless sailor was adrift in the stormy sea, unsure of his fate."

hardship (noun) /ˈhɑrd ʃɪp/
Meaning: It represents the experience of enduring challenging circumstances that often result in physical, emotional, or financial strain.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to hardship?
Options: adversity; ease; comfort; luxury
Answer: adversity
Synonyms: adversity; burden; challenge; difficulty; misfortune; ordeal; rigors; setback; struggle; suffering; trial; tribulation
Example: "The family faced financial hardship after the breadwinner lost their job."

harrowing (adjective) /ˈharəʊɪŋ/
Meaning: When we characterize an experience, event, or story as harrowing, we emphasize the profound emotional and psychological impact it has on individuals, often leading to feelings of fear, grief, or horror.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to harrowing?
Options: traumatic; soothing; comforting; pleasant
Answer: traumatic
Synonyms: agonizing; awful; cruel; dreadful; excruciating; harsh; heartrending; horrible; painful; terrible
Example: "The soldier's account of the war was truly harrowing, leaving everyone in the room in shock."

intolerable (adjective) /ɪnˈtɒl ər ə bəl/
Meaning: It implies a level of extreme discomfort, dissatisfaction, or moral objection that surpasses normal limits.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to intolerable?
Options: unbearable; tolerable; acceptable; pleasant
Answer: unbearable
Synonyms: egregious; execrable; inadmissible; inexcusable; insufferable; offensive; outrageous; repugnant; unacceptable; unbearable; unendurable; unsupportable
Example: "The heat in the room was intolerable, making it impossible to concentrate."

laden (adjective) /ˈleɪdn/
Meaning: It can be used to describe a physical object, such as a heavily laden truck or a tree laden with fruit.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to laden?
Options: burdened; unburdened; light; free
Answer: burdened
Synonyms: brimming; charged; encumbered; full; heavy; overloaded; packed; replete; stuffed
Example: "The bakery displayed a table laden with fresh pastries and muffins."

languish (verb) /ˈlaŋɡwɪʃ/
Meaning: When we use the term "languish," we emphasize a state of physical or emotional deterioration, where one's vitality and energy diminish, leading to a sense of decline or stagnation.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to languish?
Options: weaken; flourish; thrive; prosper
Answer: weaken
Synonyms: decay; decline; deteriorate; droop; fade; fail; flag; rot; sink; suffer; weaken; wilt
Example: "After his wife's death, he began to languish in his solitary apartment."

misfortune (noun) /mɪsˈfɔr tʃən/
Meaning: It denotes a stroke of bad luck, an unfortunate occurrence, or a setback that brings distress, difficulty, or misalignment with one's desires or expectations.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to misfortune?
Options: bad luck; fortune; luck; good luck
Answer: bad
Synonyms: adversity; calamity; catastrophe; difficulty; disaster; hardship; mishap; ordeal; setback; tragedy; woe
Example: "He endured a series of misfortunes, from losing his job to facing a major illness."

oppressed (adjective) /əˈprɛst/
Meaning: It describes the experience of being burdened, suppressed, or denied basic rights and freedoms.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to oppressed?
Options: subjugated; liberated; free; empowered
Answer: subjugated
Synonyms: beleaguered; disadvantaged; downtrodden; enslaved; marginalized; mistreated; persecuted; repressed; subjugated; suppressed; tyrannized; victimized
Example: "The oppressed workers fought for fair wages and better working conditions."

ordeal (noun) /ɔrˈdil/
Meaning: It is often associated with intense difficulty or suffering, both physically and emotionally.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to ordeal?
Options: tribulation; comfort; ease; pleasure
Answer: tribulation
Synonyms: adversity; agony; challenge; difficulty; hardship; nightmare; struggle; suffering; test; torment; trial; tribulation
Example: "Surviving the earthquake was a harrowing ordeal for the trapped survivors."

penury (noun) /ˈpɛnjʊri/
Meaning: The term "penury" is a noun that refers to It is a condition characterized by a lack of resources, especially money, and by the inability to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to penury?
Options: destitution; wealth; affluence; prosperity
Answer: destitution
Synonyms: beggary; deficiency; impoverishment; indigence; paucity; pauperism; privation; scarcity
Example: "The author wrote about his childhood growing up in penury, with little to no money."

plight (noun) /plʌɪt/
Meaning: Plight often implies a state of precariousness or trouble, where individuals or groups face significant obstacles or hardships.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to plight?
Options: predicament; comfort; well-being; fortune
Answer: predicament
Synonyms: dilemma; frustration; impasse; perplexity; predicament; quandary; straits; tribulation; trouble
Example: "She found herself in a difficult plight when her car broke down in the middle of nowhere."

punishing (adjective) /ˈpʌn ɪ ʃɪŋ/
Meaning: It describes situations, activities, or tasks that require a significant amount of effort, endurance, or resilience to endure or complete successfully.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to punishing?
Options: grueling; easy; effortless; relaxing
Answer: grueling
Synonyms: arduous; brutal; challenging; demanding; exacting; grueling; laborious; onerous; rigorous; strenuous; taxing; tough
Example: "The punishing workout left him exhausted but satisfied."

strenuous (adjective) /ˈstrɛn yu əs/
Meaning: It describes activities, tasks, or situations that are demanding, rigorous, or challenging in nature.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to strenuous?
Options: arduous; easy; effortless; simple
Answer: arduous
Synonyms: arduous; challenging; demanding; difficult; exacting; exhausting; grueling; laborious; onerous; taxing; tiring; wearisome
Example: "The hike up the steep mountain trail was strenuous but incredibly rewarding."

struggle (verb) /ˈstrʌg əl/
Meaning: The verb "struggle" denotes the act of exerting intense effort, often in the face of difficulty, challenge, or adversity.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to struggle?
Options: battle; succeed; breeze; coast
Answer: battle
Synonyms: battle; contend; endeavor; exert; fight; grapple; labor; persevere; strain; strive; toil; wrestle
Example: "She must struggle to overcome her fears and take the leap."

suffer (verb) /ˈsʌf ər/
Meaning: When someone suffers, they endure or go through a state of adversity, discomfort, or anguish.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to suffer?
Options: endure; enjoy; relish; delight
Answer: endure
Synonyms: agonize; ail; bear; endure; experience; face; hurt; languish; struggle; tolerate; undergo; withstand
Example: "The patient will suffer the consequences of their actions."

suffering (noun) /ˈsʌf ər ɪŋ/
Meaning: It is a deeply personal and subjective experience that encompasses a wide range of negative feelings and conditions.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to suffering?
Options: agony; comfort; joy; pleasure
Answer: agony
Synonyms: adversity; affliction; agony; anguish; distress; grief; hardship; misery; pain; sorrow; torment; tribulation
Example: "The sight of the injured animal filled me with profound suffering."

toil (verb) /tɔɪl/
Meaning: When we use the term "toil," we emphasize the sustained effort and the demanding nature of the work involved.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to toil?
Options: labor; rest; relax; idle
Answer: labor
Synonyms: drudge; effort; exertion; fatigue; graft; grind; labor; pains; slog; struggle; sweat; travail
Example: "The construction workers toiled for weeks to complete the skyscraper."

travail (noun) /ˈtraveɪl/
Meaning: It can refer to a prolonged and arduous process, such as the travail of giving birth or the travail of building a house.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to travail?
Options: ordeal; ease; comfort; pleasure
Answer: ordeal
Synonyms: drudgery; effort; grind; hardship; slog; strain; stress; suffering; sweat; tears; toil; tribulation
Example: "The artist's creative travail resulted in a masterpiece that took months to complete."

tribulation (noun) /ˌtrɪbjʊˈleɪʃn/
Meaning: When we use the term "tribulation," we emphasize the trying nature of the experiences, often involving significant emotional or physical pain.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to tribulation?
Options: distress; peace; comfort; joy
Answer: distress
Synonyms: adversity; blow; discomfort; grief; hardship; misfortune; ordeal; sorrow; torment; trial; woe
Example: "The character in the novel faced one tribulation after another on their epic journey."

trouble (noun) /ˈtrʌb əl/
Meaning: It encompasses various situations that can cause concern, inconvenience, or harm.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to trouble?
Options: difficulty; ease; peace; comfort
Answer: difficulty
Synonyms: adversity; challenge; complication; difficulty; dilemma; issue; predicament; problem; setback; turmoil; unrest; upheaval
Example: "The heavy rainstorm caused trouble for the commuters, flooding the roads and causing massive traffic jams."

unavailing (adjective) /ˌʌnəˈveɪlɪŋ/
Meaning: When something is deemed unavailing, it implies that despite the energy, resources, or time invested, it has little or no impact on achieving the intended goal or solving a problem.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to unavailing?
Options: futile; effective; successful; productive
Answer: futile
Synonyms: abortive; fruitless; futile; pointless; profitless; unproductive; unprofitable; unsuccessful
Example: "Despite their best efforts, their attempts to revive the failing business proved unavailing."

wretched (adjective) /ˈrɛtʃɪd/
Meaning: When applied to individuals, it suggests that they are living in abject poverty, experiencing profound unhappiness, or enduring severe hardships.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to wretched?
Options: miserable; joyful; content; happy
Answer: miserable
Synonyms: awful; deplorable; despicable; dismal; hapless; horrible; miserable; pitiful; terrible; woeful
Example: "The homeless man looked wretched and hungry."