Plight vs. Predicament — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
A plight is a distressing or unfortunate situation, often prolonged. A predicament is a challenging or tricky situation, often requiring a decision.
Difference Between Plight and Predicament
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Key Differences
Plight is a term that generally refers to a distressing, unfortunate, or challenging situation that an individual or group faces, typically for an extended period. On the other hand, a predicament usually signifies a difficult or complicated situation, often necessitating a choice or decision to be made.
The term plight often carries a sense of empathy or sympathy towards the individual or group facing it, indicating the severity or depth of the hardship. Conversely, a predicament might not necessarily invoke such deep sympathy but emphasizes the complexity or dilemma inherent in the situation.
When discussing the plight of someone, it usually implies that external forces or circumstances have contributed to their ongoing adversity. However, a predicament may arise from a person's choices, decisions, or circumstances, emphasizing the difficulty in finding a solution.
A plight often demands societal or collective attention and intervention, signaling a pressing need for assistance. A predicament, however, might be resolved through personal decision-making or individual action, though outside advice or help might still be sought.
In literature and everyday speech, plight is used to stress the severity and long-term nature of a situation, invoking emotions. In contrast, predicament often brings to mind a puzzle or problem, emphasizing the challenges in navigating or resolving it.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Distressing, prolonged
Challenging, requiring decision
Emotional undertone
Evokes empathy/sympathy
Emphasizes dilemma
Cause
Often external forces/circumstances
May arise from personal choices
Solution
Collective intervention
Personal decision-making
Usage
Stresses severity and duration
Highlights complexity of situation
Compare with Definitions
Plight
A distressing or adverse situation.
The plight of the homeless in winter is heart-wrenching.
Predicament
A difficult or complicated situation.
He found himself in a predicament after missing his train.
Plight
An unfortunate or unfavorable condition.
The farmer's plight due to the drought was dire.
Predicament
A troublesome or tricky circumstance.
The sudden storm put the sailors in a serious predicament.
Plight
A situation marked by misfortune or hardship.
She drew attention to the plight of refugees.
Predicament
An uncomfortable or awkward position.
Losing his notes put him in a predicament during the presentation.
Plight
A severe or prolonged difficulty faced by an individual or group.
The plight of endangered animals is a global concern.
Predicament
A situation necessitating a choice between equally undesirable alternatives.
The political scandal placed her in a predicament regarding her allegiance.
Plight
A situation, especially a bad or unfortunate one.
Predicament
Predicament is a 2010 comedy horror film based on the 1975 novel by Ronald Hugh Morrieson and starring Jemaine Clement of the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords plus Tim Finn of the Finn Brothers. Filmed in Hawera and Eltham in Taranaki, it was the last Morrieson novel to be adapted for cinema; his other three novels were filmed in the 1980s.
Plight
A solemn pledge, as of faith.
Predicament
A situation, especially an unpleasant, troublesome, or trying one, from which extrication is difficult.
Plight
To promise or bind by a solemn pledge, especially to betroth.
Predicament
(Logic) One of the basic states or classifications described by Aristotle into which all things can be placed; a category.
Plight
To give or pledge (one's word or oath, for example).
Predicament
A definite class, state or condition.
Plight
A dire or unfortunate situation.
Predicament
An unfortunate or trying position or condition.
Plight
A (neutral) condition or state.
Predicament
(logic) That which is predicated; a category.
Plight
(obsolete) Good health.
Predicament
A class or kind described by any definite marks; hence, condition; particular situation or state; especially, an unfortunate or trying position or condition.
Plight
Responsibility for ensuing consequences; risk; danger; peril.
Predicament
See Category.
Plight
An instance of danger or peril; a dangerous moment or situation.
Predicament
A situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one;
Finds himself in a most awkward predicament
The woeful plight of homeless people
Plight
Blame; culpability; fault; wrong-doing; sin; crime.
Predicament
A dilemma requiring a decision.
Her job offer left her in a predicament because it required relocating.
Plight
One's office; duty; charge.
Plight
(archaic) That which is exposed to risk; that which is plighted or pledged; security; a gage; a pledge.
Plight
(obsolete) A network; a plait; a fold; rarely a garment.
Plight
To expose to risk; to pledge.
Plight
(transitive) Specifically, to pledge (one's troth etc.) as part of a marriage ceremony.
Plight
(reflexive) To promise (oneself) to someone, or to do something.
Plight
(obsolete) To weave; to braid; to fold; to plait.
Plight
To weave; to braid; to fold; to plait.
A plighted garment of divers colors.
Plight
To pledge; to give as a pledge for the performance of some act; as, to plight faith, honor, word; - never applied to property or goods.
He plighted his right handUnto another love, and to another land.
Here my inviolable faith I plight.
Plight
To promise; to engage; to betroth.
Before its setting hour, divideThe bridegroom from the plighted bride.
Plight
A network; a plait; a fold; rarely a garment.
Plight
That which is exposed to risk; that which is plighted or pledged; security; a gage; a pledge.
Plight
Condition; state; - risk, or exposure to danger, often being implied; as, a luckless plight.
To bring our craft all in another plight
Plight
A situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one;
Finds himself in a most awkward predicament
The woeful plight of homeless people
Plight
A solemn pledge of fidelity
Plight
Give to in marriage
Plight
Promise solemnly and formally;
I pledge that will honor my wife
Plight
A continuous struggle or series of hardships.
The constant plight of the oppressed demands action.
Common Curiosities
Can one's choices lead to a predicament?
Absolutely, choices or circumstances can result in a predicament requiring a decision.
What's the primary difference between plight and predicament?
Plight refers to a distressing or prolonged situation, while predicament denotes a challenging situation requiring a decision.
Is plight always negative?
Typically, yes. Plight describes distressing or adverse situations.
Is every predicament a dire situation?
Not always. A predicament is challenging but not necessarily severe or dire.
Can plight be resolved easily?
Plight often requires significant intervention or change to resolve.
Can a predicament result in positive outcomes?
Yes, resolving a predicament can lead to growth, learning, or positive change.
Can plight and predicament be used interchangeably?
While similar, plight usually has a more emotional tone, whereas predicament focuses on complexity or dilemma.
Can a community have a plight?
Yes, communities or groups can face a collective plight, such as famine or oppression.
Is plight always man-made?
No, plight can arise from natural events, like natural disasters.
Is plight short-term or long-term?
Plight often indicates a prolonged or continuous adverse situation.
Does a predicament always demand immediate attention?
While some predicaments need quick decisions, others can be more drawn out.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
