Plight
A dangerous, difficult, or precarious situation; as a verb, to pledge or promise (often one's troth).
nounPlight
A dangerous, difficult, or precarious situation; as a verb, to pledge or promise (often one's troth).
nounImagine This
Imagine a sailor stranded at sea with a sinking boat, miles from shore, the storm howling around him. He has to choose between risking everything to save others or staying put—this is his plight.
Sounds Like
flight, slight
Looks Like
flight, slight
Remember This
The phrase plighted troth links the pledge sense to the vow sense; both senses originate from a binding commitment and evolved over time.
Other Forms
Connect With
predicament, dilemma, quandary, bind, troth, pledge
Note
The verb form is archaic or formal in modern usage; in everyday writing, use pledge or promise. Do not confuse with flight.
Study Deeper
- The refugees faced a dire plight after the flood destroyed their homes.
- The hikers found themselves in a treacherous plight when their map disappeared in the storm.
From Old English and Medieval English origins; the noun originally meant a pledge or vow and was later broadened to mean a difficult or dangerous situation due to the binding nature of a promise.
Plight = Pledge in a Tight spot. When you are in a tight spot, a pledge binds you there.
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Altruistic
adjectiveShowing a selfless concern for the welfare of others; unselfishly generous.
Embrace
verbTo hold someone closely in your arms as a sign of affection; to welcome, accept, or adopt something (such as an idea, change, or opportunity) with enthusiasm.
Amass
verbTo gather or accumulate a large amount or number over time.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
Acronym
nounA word formed from the initial letters of a phrase, pronounced as a single word and used as a shorthand for the full name (for example, NASA or radar).