problem
Something needing solving
Problem, a noun, has a handful of related meanings, all of which convey the idea of something that requires effort to solve or put right.
The most straightforward kind of problem is one that has a simple mathematical solution.
Other kinds of problems are sources of grief, worry, and distress.
When problem is used attributively, before another noun, it casts a shadow over the main noun with a suggestion that it is hard to deal with, as in problem child or problem tenant.
Something blocking the way
- setbackReverse in progress
- complicationFactor that adds difficulty
- hurdleBarrier to leap over
- snagUnforeseen complication
hiccup · glitch · bug · malfunction · defect · error · fault · issue
Space-occupying substance with mass
- issuePoint of contention
- affairRomantic entanglement outside commitment
- businessCommercial activity or occupation
- situationState of affairs
question · topic · subject · case · point · area · worry · responsibility
Severe difficulty or suffering
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- tribulationState of great distress
- ordealDifficult, painful experience
misfortune · woe · affliction · suffering · distress · calamity · crisis · trouble
Puzzling question to solve
- brainteaserPuzzle demanding clever thought
- conundrumPerplexing problem or question
- enigmaSomething hard to fathom
- mysterySomething unexplained or unknown
crossword · sudoku · logic puzzle · cryptogram · clue · solution · solver · lateral thinking
Verbal clash over differences
- disagreementAbsence of shared opinion
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- tensionStretched or strained state
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
strife · discord · quarrel · feud · grievance · complaint · contention · antagonism
obstacle
Something blocking the way
- setbackReverse in progress
- complicationFactor that adds difficulty
- hurdleBarrier to leap over
snag · hiccup · glitch · bug · malfunction · defect · error · fault · issue · impediment
matter
Space-occupying substance with mass
- issuePoint of contention
- affairRomantic entanglement outside commitment
- businessCommercial activity or occupation
situation · question · topic · subject · case · point · area · worry · responsibility · consideration
adversity
Severe difficulty or suffering
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- tribulationState of great distress
ordeal · misfortune · woe · affliction · suffering · distress · calamity · crisis · trouble · burden
riddle
Puzzling question to solve
- brainteaserPuzzle demanding clever thought
- conundrumPerplexing problem or question
- enigmaSomething hard to fathom
mystery · crossword · sudoku · logic puzzle · cryptogram · clue · solution · solver · lateral thinking · brain teaser
dispute
Verbal clash over differences
- disagreementAbsence of shared opinion
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- tensionStretched or strained state
clash · strife · discord · quarrel · feud · grievance · complaint · contention · antagonism · hostility
quandary
State of perplexity
- predicamentDifficult, unpleasant situation
- bindFasten or obligate
- impasseSituation without resolution
deadlock · stalemate · catch-22 · crisis · plight · fix · jam · pickle · crossroads · fork in the road
equation
Mathematical equality assertion
geometry · calculus · arithmetic · algorithm · variable · function · solution · formula · computation · logic
- annoyancesannoyance, annoyances, irritations, irritation, nuisance
- problemsissue, difficulty, complication, trouble, obstacle
- Product Complaintscomplaint, defect, flaw, bug, glitch
- setbacksfailing, back to square one, stuck, losing, stumbles
- Troublestrouble, issue, setback, snag, hitch
- challengeschallenge, difficult, hard, challenging, tough
problemblessing
Prayer seeking divine favor
boon · opportunity · gift · benefit · advantage
problemwell-behaved
Conducting oneself properly
manageable · cooperative · compliant · obedient · easy
- no problemCasual acceptance or dismissal
- not a problemCasual agreement to help
- math problemQuestion requiring computation
- drinking problemAddiction to alcohol
- word problemsMath in narrative form
- problem solvingAddressing challenges systematically
problems, problematic, problem-solving, problematical, unproblematic, problemo, subproblems, problematically, problema