plight

A very difficult or unhappy situation that someone is in.

• Their plight made us sad.
• The film highlights the plight of refugees.
• Who will help these workers in their desperate plight?

How to use it: the plight of someone/something (The report describes the plight of homeless families.)

Similar words: predicament, trouble, difficult situation

Common phrases: desperate plight, plight of refugees, someone's plight

To promise to marry someone or remain faithful to them, especially in a wedding ceremony.

• The couple plighted their troth.
• She plighted her troth to him before their families.
• They had plighted their marriage vows in the village church.

How to use it: plight one's troth to someone (At the altar, he plighted his troth to her.)

Similar words: pledge, vow

Common phrases: plight one's troth, plight marriage vows

To make a serious promise to someone or promise that you will do something.

• He plighted his word to return.
• The knights plighted their faith to the new ruler.
• She had plighted herself to protect the child.

How to use it: plight oneself to do something (He plighted himself to serve the king faithfully.)

Similar words: pledge, promise, vow

Common phrases: plight one's word, plight one's faith, plight oneself