difficulty

How hard something is to do, understand, or deal with.

• I had difficulty opening the door.
• He walked up the stairs with difficulty.
• The game offers three levels of difficulty.

How to use it: have difficulty doing something (I have difficulty remembering names.); difficulty in doing something (She reported difficulty in moving her arm.)

Opposites: ease

Common phrases: with difficulty, have difficulty, difficulty level

A problem that makes it harder to do or achieve something.

• We faced an unexpected difficulty.
• The company is having financial difficulties.
• How did you overcome those technical difficulties?

Similar words: problem, obstacle, hurdle

Common phrases: face a difficulty, financial difficulty, technical difficulty

A dangerous situation outdoors, especially when someone cannot swim or stay safe in water.

• The swimmer was in difficulty.
• Their boat got into difficulties in rough water.
• Lifeguards rescued two children who were in difficulties.

How to use it: be/get into difficulties (The swimmer got into difficulties far from shore.)

Similar words: trouble, danger

Opposites: safety

Common phrases: in difficulty, get into difficulty