EN

Synonyms for plight

  • noun
  • verb

Most common

situation dilemma predicament quandary

Synonyms by meaning

Noun

1. Predicament

predicament, situation, dilemma, quandary, state, fix, case, trouble, condition, quagmire, pass, pickle, perplexity, spot, tight spot, pinch, scrape, bind, sticky wicket, jam, category

Other

troth dated

Verb

1. Engage

engage, affiance, betroth formal dated

Other

pledge, promise, pawn

Definitions

  1. n. 1

    A dire or unfortunate situation.

  2. v. 1

    Specifically, to pledge (one's troth etc.) as part of a marriage ceremony.

Forms

Plural
plights → predicaments, situations, dilemmas, quandaries…
Past participle
plighted
e.g. plighted → engaged, affianced, betrothed, pledged…

Example sentences

  • situation Explain to him the difficult situation you are in.
  • dilemma A moral dilemma can test a person’s true character.
  • predicament This is a fine predicament you've gotten us into.
  • quandary Tom was in a quandary about who to vote for in the election.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
plightsteady
situationfalling
dilemmasteady
predicamentrising
quandaryrising

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters
fix1, jam1
4 letters
case1, pass1, spot1, bind1, pawn1
5 letters
state1, pinch1, troth1
6 letters
engage2, pledge1, pickle2, scrape1
7 letters
trouble2, promise2, dilemma3, betroth
8 letters
category4, quagmire3, quandary3, affiance
9 letters
situation4, condition3
10 letters
perplexity4
11 letters
predicament4

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (engage2 = 2 syllables).