adversity

[ ad-vur-si-tee ]

noun

, plural ad·ver·si·ties

1. adverse or unfavorable fortune or fate; a condition marked by misfortune, calamity, or distress:

   Friends will show their true colors in times of adversity.

   Synonyms: misery, trouble, disaster, catastrophe

   Antonyms: prosperity

2. an adverse or unfortunate event or circumstance:

   You will meet many adversities in life.

adversity

/ ədˈvɜːsɪtɪ /

noun

1. distress; affliction; hardship
2. an unfortunate event or incident

Word History and Origins

Origin of adversity¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English adversite, from Anglo-French, from Latin adversitās “opposition”; equivalent to adverse + -ity

Synonym Study

See affliction.

Related Words

• calamity
• catastrophe
• crunch
• difficulty
• disaster
• hard times
• hardship
• misery
• misfortune
• mishap
• sorrow
• suffering
• trouble