Vocabulary in context
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Plight
A dangerous, difficult, or precarious situation; as a verb, to pledge or promise (often one's troth).
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Imagine 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.
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Sounds Like
flight, slight
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Looks Like
flight, slight
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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.
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Other Forms
plightsverb
plightedadjective
plightingnoun
plightmentnoun
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Connect With
predicament, dilemma, quandary, bind, troth, pledge
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Note
The verb form is archaic or formal in modern usage; in everyday writing, use pledge or promise. Do not confuse with flight.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- 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.
Synonyms
predicamentdilemmaquandarytroublehardship
Antonyms
safetyeaseprosperity
Etymology
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.
Mnemonic
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).
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