What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
adversity
Example
She faced many adversities in her life, but she never gave up. [adversities: noun]
Example
The company overcame the adversity of the pandemic by adapting to new ways of doing business. [adversity: noun]
difficulty
Example
I had difficulty understanding the instructions. [difficulty: noun]
Example
He found it difficult to adjust to the new environment. [difficult: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Difficulty is more commonly used than adversity in everyday language. Difficulty is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while adversity is less common and has a more serious connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between adversity and difficulty?
Both adversity and difficulty can be used in formal and informal contexts, but adversity is more likely to be used in serious or dramatic situations, while difficulty can be used in a more casual or everyday context.
