plight

plight — noun

1. a very difficult condition that brings trouble or sadness and is not easy to get

1.nounC2
Definition

a very difficult condition that brings trouble or sadness and is not easy to get out of

Example

Many fishing families are in a bad plight after the harbor closure.

in a plight after + event

The flood left the mountain village in a worse plight than before.

Common collocations
  • in a desperate plight
  • the plight of refugees
  • financial plight
  • worsen someone's plight
Synonyms
  • predicament

    often refers to one difficult position that someone must find a way out of

  • hardship

    stresses suffering and lack over a period of time

  • trouble

    is much broader and can describe problems of any size

  • crisis

    suggests a dangerous turning point that needs quick action

Antonyms
  • comfort

    suggests a state of ease rather than suffering

  • security

    suggests safety and stability instead of danger or difficulty

Grammar Patterns

in a plight

the plight of + people/group

Usage Note

Often used for serious social or personal problems, especially in the pattern the plight of + group. Distinguish from a general situation or problem: plight usually sounds more severe and more sad.

Common Mistakes

The refugees are very plight.
The refugees are in a desperate plight.
plight is a noun, so it is usually used after 'in', not directly after 'are'.

plight — verb

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Plight is best when you want to stress how bad and often sad a condition is, especially one that makes other people feel sympathy. Predicament usually points to one difficult position that someone needs to escape from. Hardship stresses long-lasting suffering, often from poverty, illness, or daily struggle. Trouble is much broader and can describe anything from a small problem to serious danger. Crisis suggests a dangerous moment when quick action is needed. Use plight in sentences like 'The report described the plight of farm workers.' Use predicament for a tricky spot, as in 'Mina found herself in a legal predicament.'

predicament ↗hardship ↗trouble ↗crisis ↗