How does the noun problem differ from other similar words?
Some common synonyms of problem are enigma, mystery, puzzle, and riddle. While all these words mean «something which baffles or perplexes,» problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.
problems created by high technology
In what contexts can enigma take the place of problem?
While the synonyms enigma and problem are close in meaning, enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret.
his suicide remains an enigma
When could mystery be used to replace problem?
Although the words mystery and problem have much in common, mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation.
the mystery of the stone monoliths
Where would puzzle be a reasonable alternative to problem?
The words puzzle and problem are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution.
the thief’s motives were a puzzle for the police
When might riddle be a better fit than problem?
In some situations, the words riddle and problem are roughly equivalent. However, riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction.
the riddle of the reclusive pop star
What is another word for Problem?
Use filters to view other words, we have 1458 synonyms for problem.
If you know synonyms for Problem, then you can share it or put your rating in listed similar words.
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Synonym definition
A synonym is a word, adjective, verb or expression that has the same meaning as another, or almost the same meaning. Synonyms are other words that mean the same thing. This avoids repetitions in a sentence without changing its meaning.
Antonym definition
An antonym is a word, adjective, verb or expression whose meaning is opposite to that of a word. Antonyms are used to express the opposite of a word.
Use of synonyms and antonyms
Synonyms and antonyms are intended to:
- — Enrich a text, an email, a message.
- — Avoid repetitions in a text.
Examples of synonyms
The words acknowledge, enjoy, welcome are synonyms for «appreciate».
Examples of antonyms
The words blockage, encumbrance, handicap are antonyms for «help».
Use of synonyms-thesaurus.com
In your daily life, for writing an email, a text, an essay, if you want to avoid repetitions or find the opposite meaning of a word. This site allows you to find in one place, all the synonyms and antonyms of the English language. Synonyms-thesaurus.com is more than 70,800 synonyms and 47,200 antonyms available. Here you use the synonyms for problem. These synonyms for the word problem are provided for your information only.
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Today, we’re going to talk about other words for problem that you can use in English.
I’m teaching my students about synonyms, trying to find alternative words for their speaking or particularly when they’re writing in English so that they can get a bit of variety.
This is particularly important for those of you who are planning to take English proficiency tests.
You need to be able to demonstrate to the examiner that you have a good English vocabulary.
8 Other Words for Problem in English — Podcast Episode 209
Other words to say «problem»
Harry
Harry is a native English teacher with over 10 years of experience both online and in face-to-face lessons. With his extensive experience in business, he specialises in Business English lessons but happily teaches ESL students with any English learning needs.
8 Other Words for Problem in English
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Hi there, this is Harry, your English teacher, and welcome back to my English learning podcast Speak Better English with Harry.
So let’s look at other words for problem or plural problems.
1️⃣ The first one is
issue
Or issues in the plural.
Issue is used especially about problems that affect a lot of people in society.
For example:
International terrorism is the most important issue facing the world today.
Previous governments failed to address social issues such as unemployment and homelessness.
You can often say to somebody:
Do you have some issues? – Meaning have you got some problems.
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2️⃣ The next word is
challenge
Challenge is something that is usually difficult but you can deal with it. Or you can do it. Or it’s something that you must do. It needs a lot of skill and effort.
For example:
Climbing mountain Everest was the biggest challenge in my life.
She said she was looking forward to the challenge of starting her new business on her own.
He was looking forward to the challenge of living in another country.
8 Other Words for Problem in English
3️⃣ The next is
difficulty
Difficulty is something that you are not able to do easily.
For example:
The company has managed to deal with its recent financial difficulties.
Many people experience difficulty with sleeping at some time in their lives.
4️⃣ Next word is
trouble
A trouble is a problem or several problems that make something difficult. They spoil your plans.
For example:
Students of English often have trouble understanding and using phrasal verbs.
I ran into some trouble on the way to school. There was a problem on the road and I was delayed.
The company ran into trouble when it tried to expand too quickly.
We usually don’t use the word TROUBLE in the plural
When we use troubles as a plural it refers to a particular situation.
For example, in Northern Ireland when there were problems in the 1960s, 70s and 80s between the Catholics and the Protestants they were generally referred to as the troubles. It was a sort of a soft way of referring to the killings and the brutality that went on.
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8 Other Words for Problem in English
5️⃣ The next word that would be a synonym for ‘problem’ is
setback
A setback is something that happens that stops you from making progress or might make things worse.
For example:
Antonio was recovering well from a serious operation but then suddenly he got another infection and there was a little setback in his progress.
Despite some early setbacks his campaign for the presidency was eventually successful.
6️⃣ The next word is
obstacle
An obstacle is usually something that we have to overcome. It can be a physical obstacle.
For example:
A tree has fallen after a storm and there’s an obstacle in the middle of the road.
We can also have obstacles in our lives, in some relationships or at work.
Criminal gangs are the biggest obstacle to democratic reforms.
7️⃣ The next word is a
dilemma
A dilemma is another word for a problem. These are issues that we face from time to time.
For example:
The doctors were faced with a moral dilemma as to whether to save the life of the baby or the mother.
He’s got a dilemma, he doesn’t know whether he should accept the promotion or turn it down.
8️⃣ And then we have a
vicious circle
A vicious circle is how we describe something that goes round and round without ever being solved. It’s a continuous problem.
For example:
Some countries got caught up in a vicious circle where they borrow money and then they really can’t afford to repay those debts.
It was like a vicious circle, and we were not happy with their proposal.
So here are 8 other words for problem that I would use. Let me just go through them quickly again:
- issue
- challenge
- difficulty
- trouble
- setback
- obstacle
- dilemma
- vicious circle
As always, thanks for listening to this particular podcast episode. If you want to contact me, you can do so on englishlessonviaskype.com Give me some suggestions, I’m always happy to include them in one of my future episodes. Thanks for listening.
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What is another word for “problem”?!!! Following is a list of 18 common synonyms for the word “problem” that you can use instead.
Problem Synonyms
List of Other Words for Problem
- Complication
- Question
- Drawback
- Enigma
- Difficulty
- Muddle
- Dilemma
- Riddle
- Mess
- Headache
- Puzzle
- Issue
- Obstacle
- Trouble
- Conundrum
- Plight
- Quandary
- Predicament
Problem Synonyms Examples
Complication
- The car ran out of petrol, and as a further complication, I had no money!
Question
- Let’s confine our discussion to the matter in question, please!
Drawback
- Unfortunately, they suffer from the main drawback of such elite forces: such exceptional warriors are rare.
Enigma
- The whole thing sometimes appears such an enigma that there might almost have been a conspiracy of silence.
Difficulty
- I have difficulty dealing with the abstract – let’s discuss particular cases.
Muddle
- I’m in such a muddle, I’d completely forgotten you were coming today.
Dilemma
- Many women are faced with the dilemma of choosing between work and family commitments.
Riddle
- The police have been unable to solve the riddle of her disappearance.
Mess
- Who is responsible for this terrible mess?
Headache
- I had a terrible headache, but even so, I went to the concert.
Puzzle
- Traces of explosives found among the wreckage were the key to the puzzle.
Issue
- The government has been forced to climb down over the issue of increased taxes.
Obstacle
- He is in the full flush of success; nothing was an obstacle.
Trouble
- Whenever you need me, I’ll be here. Whenever you’re in trouble, I’m always near.
Conundrum
- But we do not need to solve this conundrum, for the picture painted is unreal.
Plight
- To truly understand the plight of the Jets, consider this slice of trivia.
Quandary
- I’ve been offered a better job but at a lower salary, I’m in a quandary about what to do.
Predicament
- She is hoping to get a loan from her bank to help her out of her financial predicament.
Another Word for Problem | Infographic
Problem Synonyms with Example Sentences
Last Updated on February 6, 2021