adversidad
adversity
noun ahd-behr-see-DAHD Rare
Origin: from Latin adversitas, 'opposition'
Also means
hardship
Usage Note
Adversidad is a formal, elevated word for difficulty and misfortune. The common phrase hacer frente a la adversidad ('to face adversity') and en tiempos de adversidad ('in times of hardship') appear frequently in speeches and writing. The related adjective adverso/adversa ('adverse, unfavorable') is used in contexts like condiciones adversas ('adverse conditions').
Examples
"Superó la adversidad con mucha fortaleza."
Natural Translation
She overcame adversity with great strength.

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