[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":136},["ShallowReactive",2],{"w-problem":3},{"word":4,"pos":5,"definition":6,"senses":7,"antonyms":119,"tip":125,"faq":126},"problem","noun","A problem is something that is difficult, troublesome, or prevents something from working as intended.",[8,54,90],{"label":9,"pos":5,"gloss":10,"synonyms":11},"difficulty or issue","something troublesome that needs attention",[12,22,27,33,39,44,49],{"w":13,"intensity":14,"formality":15,"contexts":16,"nuance":20,"example":21},"issue",2,3,[17,18,19],"academic","business","casual","broader and milder; often more neutral","We need to discuss the issue before the launch.",{"w":23,"intensity":14,"formality":15,"contexts":24,"nuance":25,"example":26},"difficulty",[17,18,19],"emphasizes challenge rather than trouble","She had difficulty finding reliable sources.",{"w":28,"intensity":29,"formality":15,"contexts":30,"nuance":31,"example":32},"matter",1,[18,19],"very general and understated","That's a matter we can sort out later.",{"w":34,"intensity":15,"formality":15,"contexts":35,"nuance":37,"example":38},"complication",[17,18,36],"creative","suggests an added obstacle or wrinkle","The weather caused a complication in the schedule.",{"w":40,"intensity":14,"formality":14,"contexts":41,"nuance":42,"example":43},"snag",[18,19],"informal; a small unexpected obstacle","We hit a snag with the delivery.",{"w":45,"intensity":14,"formality":14,"contexts":46,"nuance":47,"example":48},"hitch",[18,19],"informal; usually a minor technical or practical setback","There was a hitch in the payment process.",{"w":50,"intensity":15,"formality":14,"contexts":51,"nuance":52,"example":53},"trouble",[19],"more personal and colloquial","He got into trouble for missing class.",{"label":55,"pos":5,"gloss":56,"synonyms":57},"hardship or distress","a serious difficulty affecting life or health",[58,64,70,75,80,85],{"w":59,"intensity":15,"formality":60,"contexts":61,"nuance":62,"example":63},"hardship",4,[17,18,36],"emphasizes sustained difficulty or deprivation","The report examines hardship among low-income families.",{"w":65,"intensity":60,"formality":66,"contexts":67,"nuance":68,"example":69},"adversity",5,[17,36],"more elevated; strong external difficulty","She showed resilience in the face of adversity.",{"w":71,"intensity":60,"formality":60,"contexts":72,"nuance":73,"example":74},"woe",[36],"literary; emphasizes suffering or misfortune","The novel traces the villagers' woe after the flood.",{"w":76,"intensity":60,"formality":60,"contexts":77,"nuance":78,"example":79},"distress",[17,18,36],"stronger; emotional or physical suffering","The accident caused great distress to the family.",{"w":81,"intensity":66,"formality":15,"contexts":82,"nuance":83,"example":84},"misery",[19,36],"very strong; intense suffering or unhappiness","He described the misery of the long winter.",{"w":86,"intensity":60,"formality":60,"contexts":87,"nuance":88,"example":89},"plight",[17,18,36],"serious and often sympathetic; a bad situation","The documentary highlights the plight of refugees.",{"label":91,"pos":5,"gloss":92,"synonyms":93},"mathematical question","a question to be solved by reasoning or calculation",[94,99,104,109,114],{"w":95,"intensity":14,"formality":60,"contexts":96,"nuance":97,"example":98},"exercise",[17],"classroom task, often structured or routine","Complete the algebra exercise for homework.",{"w":100,"intensity":14,"formality":60,"contexts":101,"nuance":102,"example":103},"equation",[17],"specific mathematical statement to solve","The equation has two unknowns.",{"w":105,"intensity":14,"formality":15,"contexts":106,"nuance":107,"example":108},"puzzle",[17,19],"something that requires thought to resolve","The origin of the artifact remains a puzzle.",{"w":110,"intensity":15,"formality":15,"contexts":111,"nuance":112,"example":113},"challenge",[17,18,19],"can sound more positive and motivating","Reducing emissions is a major challenge.",{"w":115,"intensity":14,"formality":15,"contexts":116,"nuance":117,"example":118},"task",[17,18,19],"focuses on assigned work rather than difficulty","The task is to find the shortest route.",[120,121,122,123,124],"solution","answer","ease","comfort","certainty","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.",[127,130,133],{"q":128,"a":129},"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.",{"q":131,"a":132},"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.",{"q":134,"a":135},"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.",1790472037746]