woes

NOUN

suffering

Synonyms

STRONGEST

adversity anguish burden calamity catastrophe disaster gloom hardship headache misery misfortune pain tragedy trouble

STRONG

affliction agony blues care cataclysm curse dejection depression distress dole drag grief heartache heartbreak lamentation melancholy misadventure rain regret rue sadness sorrow trial tribulation unhappiness wretchedness

WEAK

bemoaning deploring grieving

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advantage aid assistance benefit blessing boon cheer comfort contentment encouragement favor fortune good fortune good health good luck happiness help joy miracle pleasure profit prosperity success wonder

STRONG

gladness health joyousness peace relief

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

We thought about this recently as we read the hand-wringing about Social Security’s looming financial woes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 24, 2026

The reluctance from companies to hire reflects more than just recent economic woes.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026

Then came a capstone class project to fix a company’s talent-acquisition woes.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 22, 2026

Financial woes are rumored to be the reason.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2026

Deep in the meadow, hidden far away A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray Forget your woes and let your troubles lay And when again it's morning, they'll wash away.

From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins