adversity
Adversity refers to a state of serious or continued difficulty, misfortune, or hardship. It describes a situation or event that is difficult to deal with and requires strength or resilience to overcome.
Examples
3 of 5She managed to maintain a positive attitude despite facing great personal adversity.
She managed to maintain a positive attitude despite facing great personal adversity.
The nation demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of economic adversity.
The nation demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of economic adversity.
Even after all that adversity he went through, he is still the kindest guy I know.
Even after all that adversity he went through, he is still the kindest guy I know.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Adversity' as the 'University' of hard knocks—it is a difficult place where you learn valuable life lessons through struggle.
Quick Quiz
The young entrepreneur showed great spirit by refusing to give up in the face of ____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: adversity
Examples
She managed to maintain a positive attitude despite facing great personal adversity.
everydayShe managed to maintain a positive attitude despite facing great personal adversity.
The nation demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of economic adversity.
formalThe nation demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of economic adversity.
Even after all that adversity he went through, he is still the kindest guy I know.
informalEven after all that adversity he went through, he is still the kindest guy I know.
Psychologists study the various ways in which individuals respond to childhood adversity.
academicPsychologists study the various ways in which individuals respond to childhood adversity.
Our firm has a history of turning adversity into a competitive advantage.
businessOur firm has a history of turning adversity into a competitive advantage.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
in the face of adversity
in the face of adversity
triumph over adversity
triumph over adversity
adversity builds character
adversity builds character
Often Confused With
An adversary is an opponent or enemy (a person), while adversity is a difficult situation or hardship (a state).
Adverse is the adjective form meaning harmful or unfavorable, whereas adversity is the noun.
Usage Notes
Adversity is often used in inspirational contexts to discuss how people grow or succeed despite having a hard life. While it can be plural (adversities), it is most frequently used as an uncountable noun to describe a general state of hardship.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 'adversity' to refer to a person they are competing against; the correct word for a person is 'adversary'.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Adversity' as the 'University' of hard knocks—it is a difficult place where you learn valuable life lessons through struggle.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'adversite', derived from the Latin 'adversitas', meaning 'opposition' or 'misfortune'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many cultures, particularly in the U.S. and U.K., 'overcoming adversity' is a central theme in literature and motivational speaking, symbolizing personal strength.
Quick Quiz
The young entrepreneur showed great spirit by refusing to give up in the face of ____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: adversity
Related Words
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misaudcy
C1Describing a state or tendency to misinterpret spoken information or auditory cues, often leading to confusion or errors in communication. It characterizes someone who frequently 'slips' when listening or perceives sounds incorrectly.
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