In negative sense: an unfortunate condition or state.

An instance of misfortune; an affliction; a trouble, a problem. Now usually in plural.

The state of being tried; a trial, a temptation.

Something which afflicts a person; a cause of pain, misery, or distress.

‘Trial,’ tribulation, affliction. Obsolete.

fig. (plural) Troubles, difficulties, vexations: in modern use with conscious reference to the literal sense. Hence †to leave in the briers, be in…

With a and plural. An instance of this; a misfortune, calamity; a distressing or vexatious circumstance, occurrence, or experience.

with a and plural. A sore trouble, a misfortune or calamity that presses hardly; esp. in plural straits, distressing or strained circumstances.

In plural. Loss, damage; adversity. Obsolete.

Trouble; tribulation; affliction; = assay, n. 2.

An instance of this; something inflicted, as pain, punishment, etc., or in weaker sense, an annoyance, a nuisance, a ‘visitation’.

As a count noun: an inconvenience; a trouble; an annoyance. rare after 17th cent.

That which puts one to the test; esp. a painful test of one's endurance, patience, or faith; hence, affliction, trouble, misfortune. (Cf. 2b.)

Anything which acts as a test, or severely tests character or endurance. Hence more generally: a painful, trying, or unhappy experience, esp. a…

colloquial. Without qualification: an experience notable in some way (good or bad); esp. an ordeal or struggle.

dialect. A serious affair; a matter involving great trouble or loss. (Usually in negative phr.)

Via Crucis/ˈkruːtʃɪs/ = Way of the Cross, n.; also figurative, an extremely painful experience that has to be borne with fortitude; Via Dolorosa/d…

Via Crucis/ˈkruːtʃɪs/ = Way of the Cross, n.; also figurative, an extremely painful experience that has to be borne with fortitude; Via Dolorosa/d…

slang. A situation; a state of affairs.

Originally U.S. spec. A dispiriting, frustrating, or annoying circumstance, turn of events, etc.