Another word for problem
The best other words for problem are complication, hardship, challenge and issue.
- Most formal
- adversity, hardship, woe
- Strongest
- misery, adversity, woe
- Casual
- snag, hitch, trouble
- Instead of “serious problem”
- issue, difficulty, trouble
Problem /ˈprɑːbləm/ (noun): A problem is something that is difficult, troublesome, or prevents something from working as intended. In simple words: something that is wrong, hard, or needs to be fixed. Below are 18 rated synonyms across 3 senses, plus 11 more related words. Tap a chip for its nuance and an example.
18 synonyms shown
Difficulty or issue · noun
something troublesome that needs attention
Hardship or distress · noun
a serious difficulty affecting life or health
Mathematical question · noun
a question to be solved by reasoning or calculation
Find the right strength and register
Drag the amber target to how strong and how formal you need the word to be. The three closest synonyms light up.
You asked for: equal strength, neutral register
- complication — suggests an added obstacle or wrinkle
- issue — broader and milder; often more neutral
- difficulty — emphasizes challenge rather than trouble
The dashed ring marks “problem” itself: neutral strength, neutral register.
Synonyms for problem in your sentence
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How to choose
Use problem as the safe default when you mean a thing that is wrong or difficult. Choose a more specific synonym when you want to signal size, seriousness, or tone: issue is neutral, snag is casual, and adversity is formal and weighty.
Antonyms of problem
- solution
- answer
- ease
- comfort
- certainty
All synonyms at a glance
| Synonym | Strength | Formality | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| issue | 2/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
| difficulty | 2/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
| matter | 1/5 | neutral | business, casual |
| complication | 3/5 | neutral | academic, business, creative |
| snag | 2/5 | casual | business, casual |
| hitch | 2/5 | casual | business, casual |
| trouble | 3/5 | casual | casual |
| hardship | 3/5 | formal | academic, business, creative |
| adversity | 4/5 | academic | academic, creative |
| woe | 4/5 | formal | creative |
| distress | 4/5 | formal | academic, business, creative |
| misery | 5/5 | neutral | casual, creative |
| plight | 4/5 | formal | academic, business, creative |
| exercise | 2/5 | formal | academic |
| equation | 2/5 | formal | academic |
| puzzle | 2/5 | neutral | academic, casual |
| challenge | 3/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
| task | 2/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
Instead of “very problem”
One precise word usually beats an intensifier. See the full words instead of “very” list.
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| serious problem | issue, difficulty, trouble |
| major problem | big issue, serious issue, big difficulty |
| potential problem | possible issue, possible difficulty, possible trouble |
More words related to problem
Looser matches and phrases, unrated. Check the sense before you swap one in, or compare it with “problem”.
- predicament
- dilemma
- concern
- setback
- obstacle
- barrier
- impediment
- question
- riddle
- quandary
- snarl
Questions about synonyms for problem
What is the most formal or academic synonym for problem?
Adversity is one of the most formal choices, but it usually refers to serious hardship rather than any ordinary difficulty. In academic prose, issue is often the safest neutral substitute when you want a broad, formal word.
What's a stronger word than problem for a very serious situation?
Distress, hardship, and adversity are stronger than problem because they suggest deeper suffering or more severe difficulty. Misery is even stronger, but it is more emotional and less neutral.
What's a milder or more casual alternative to problem?
Snag and hitch are good casual options for a small, temporary difficulty. Issue is also milder than problem in many contexts, especially in business or academic writing.
What is a more formal word for problem?
A more formal word is often issue, concern, or difficulty, depending on the context. In a business or academic setting, issue is very common, while difficulty is more neutral.
What is a stronger word than problem for a serious situation?
Stronger words include crisis, emergency, or predicament, depending on the exact meaning. These words suggest something more urgent or more serious than a normal problem.