Trouble vs. Affliction — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 27, 2024
Trouble often refers to general problems or distress, whereas affliction denotes serious suffering, typically due to illness or hardship.
Difference Between Trouble and Affliction
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Trouble is a broad term that can apply to minor inconveniences or more significant problems, whereas affliction is usually reserved for more severe or chronic suffering, often related to disease or profound personal hardship.
While trouble might arise from everyday situations, like a car breakdown or a work-related issue, affliction typically involves deeper, more persistent challenges such as chronic illness or long-term financial distress.
People often use trouble in a casual, sometimes temporary context (e.g., having trouble with a math problem), whereas affliction implies a weightier, often unavoidable or unalterable condition.
In literature and speech, "trouble" is commonly used to describe a wide range of difficulties, both big and small; on the other hand, "affliction" is often used in more formal or serious contexts, highlighting the gravity of the suffering.
The emotional connotations of trouble are generally less intense and can sometimes be resolved or alleviated, while affliction carries a heavier emotional weight, suggesting a condition that affects one's quality of life over a longer period.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
General problems or difficulties.
Serious, often prolonged suffering or hardship.
Severity
Can range from minor to severe.
Typically severe and enduring.
Duration
Often temporary or short-term.
Usually long-term or chronic.
Contexts
Everyday life, mechanical issues, personal issues.
Health, profound personal or existential crises.
Emotional Weight
Variable, generally less severe.
Heavy, with significant emotional impact.
Compare with Definitions
Trouble
General distress or difficulty.
She had trouble finding her keys.
Affliction
A state of pain, distress, or grief.
His affliction was evident in his demeanor.
Trouble
Performance or functioning problems.
His car is always in trouble.
Affliction
A disease or ailment.
She suffers from a rare affliction.
Trouble
A situation causing inconvenience.
The trouble with our plan is the lack of time.
Affliction
A condition that causes suffering.
Poverty is a severe affliction affecting millions.
Trouble
A state of being distressed.
He’s been in trouble since he lost his job.
Affliction
Something that impairs or wounds.
The country faced many afflictions during the war.
Trouble
Difficulty or problems
Friends should support each other when they are in trouble
I had trouble finding somewhere to park
Our troubles are just beginning
The government's policies ran into trouble
Affliction
The act of causing pain or suffering.
Affliction struck the family with the father’s illness.
Trouble
Public unrest or disorder
There was crowd trouble before and during the match
Affliction
A cause of pain or harm
A crippling affliction of the nervous system
Trouble
Cause distress or anxiety to
He was not troubled by doubts
Affliction
A condition of pain, suffering, or distress
The affliction of arthritis.
Trouble
A state of distress, affliction, difficulty, or need
Tried to console them in their trouble.
Got in trouble with the police.
Affliction
A cause of pain, suffering, or distress
"The mount twists wind and weather to alter them into afflictions as a heartless monarch does laws" (William Least Heat-Moon).
Trouble
A distressing or difficult circumstance or situation
I've had troubles ever since I took this job.
Affliction
A state of pain, suffering, distress or agony.
Trouble
A cause or source of distress, disturbance, or difficulty
The new recruits were a trouble to him.
Affliction
Something which causes pain, suffering, distress or agony.
Trouble
Effort, especially when inconvenient or bothersome
Went to a lot of trouble to find this book.
Affliction
The cause of continued pain of body or mind, as sickness, losses, etc.; an instance of grievous distress; a pain or grief.
To repay that money will be a biting affliction.
Trouble
A condition of pain, disease, or malfunction
Heart trouble.
Car trouble.
Affliction
The state of being afflicted; a state of pain, distress, or grief.
Some virtues are seen only in affliction.
Trouble
Public unrest or disorder.
Affliction
A state of great suffering and distress due to adversity
Trouble
An instance of this; a disturbance.
Affliction
A condition of suffering or distress due to ill health
Trouble
Troubles Any of various conflicts or rebellions in Ireland or Northern Ireland, especially the period of social unrest in Northern Ireland beginning in 1969.
Affliction
A cause of great suffering and distress
Trouble
To afflict with pain or discomfort
My stomach is troubling me.
Trouble
To cause to be anxious or worried
Was troubled by the decline in sales.
Trouble
To cause to have emotional or mental problems that interfere with social functioning
A teenager who is troubled and needs help.
Trouble
To inconvenience; bother
May I trouble you for directions?.
Trouble
To agitate; stir up
Winds troubling the waters.
Trouble
To take pains
They trouble over every detail.
Trouble
A distressing or dangerous situation.
He was in trouble when the rain started.
Trouble
A difficulty, problem, condition, or action contributing to such a situation.
The trouble was a leaking brake line.
The trouble with that suggestion is that we lack the funds to put it in motion.
The bridge column magnified the trouble with a slight tilt in the wrong direction.
The trouble with that suggestion is that we lack the funds to put it in motion.
The bridge column magnified the trouble with a slight tilt in the wrong direction.
Trouble
A violent occurrence or event.
The troubles in Northern Ireland
Trouble
Efforts taken or expended, typically beyond the normal required.
It's no trouble for me to edit it.
Trouble
A malfunction.
He's been in hospital with some heart trouble.
My old car has engine trouble.
Trouble
Liability to punishment; conflict with authority.
He had some trouble with the law.
Trouble
(mining) A fault or interruption in a stratum.
Trouble
(Cockney rhyming slang) Wife. trouble and strife
Trouble
To disturb, stir up, agitate (a medium, especially water).
Trouble
(transitive) To mentally distress; to cause (someone) to be anxious or perplexed.
What she said about narcissism is troubling me.
Trouble
(transitive) In weaker sense: to bother or inconvenience.
I will not trouble you to deliver the letter.
Trouble
To take pains to do something.
I won't trouble to post the letter today; I can do it tomorrow.
Trouble
(intransitive) To worry; to be anxious.
Trouble
To put into confused motion; to disturb; to agitate.
An angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water.
God looking forth will trouble all his host.
Trouble
To disturb; to perplex; to afflict; to distress; to grieve; to fret; to annoy; to vex.
Now is my soul troubled.
Take the boy to you; he so troubles me'T is past enduring.
Never trouble yourself about those faults which age will cure.
Trouble
To give occasion for labor to; - used in polite phraseology; as, I will not trouble you to deliver the letter.
Trouble
Troubled; dark; gloomy.
Trouble
The state of being troubled; disturbance; agitation; uneasiness; vexation; calamity.
Lest the fiend . . . some new trouble raise.
Foul whisperings are abroad; unnatural deedsDo breed unnatural troubles.
Trouble
That which gives disturbance, annoyance, or vexation; that which afflicts.
Trouble
A fault or interruption in a stratum.
She never took the trouble to close them.
Trouble
A source of difficulty;
One trouble after another delayed the job
What's the problem?
Trouble
An angry disturbance;
He didn't want to make a fuss
They had labor trouble
A spot of bother
Trouble
An event causing distress or pain;
What is the trouble?
Heart trouble
Trouble
An effort that is inconvenient;
I went to a lot of trouble
He won without any trouble
Had difficulty walking
Finished the test only with great difficulty
Trouble
A strong feeling of anxiety;
His worry over the prospect of being fired
It is not work but worry that kills
He wanted to die and end his troubles
Trouble
An unwanted pregnancy;
He got several girls in trouble
Trouble
Move deeply;
This book upset me
A troubling thought
Trouble
To cause inconvenience or discomfort to;
Sorry to trouble you, but...
Trouble
Disturb in mind or make uneasy or cause to be worried or alarmed;
She was rather perturbed by the news that her father was seriously ill
Trouble
Take the trouble to do something; concern oneself;
He did not trouble to call his mother on her birthday
Don't bother, please
Trouble
Cause bodily suffering to
Common Curiosities
Is affliction always related to health?
Often, but it can also relate to any severe hardship or suffering.
Can trouble and affliction be used interchangeably?
No, because affliction implies a greater severity and a longer duration than trouble.
Can someone experience trouble without affliction?
Yes, as trouble can be minor and temporary, unlike affliction which is deeper and longer-lasting.
Can affliction be considered a type of trouble?
Yes, affliction can be considered a specific, more intense type of trouble, particularly focusing on prolonged suffering or hardship.
What types of situations are commonly referred to as trouble?
Situations ranging from everyday complications like traffic jams or financial hiccups to more serious issues such as legal problems or significant relational disputes.
How does society perceive trouble versus affliction?
Society often views trouble as a more common and manageable part of life, whereas affliction is seen as more severe and deserving of greater sympathy and support.
How does the emotional impact of affliction compare to trouble?
The emotional impact of affliction is typically more intense and profound than trouble, which can often be more manageable.
How do the resolutions of trouble and affliction differ?
Troubles can often be resolved or mitigated through practical solutions or interventions, while afflictions may require long-term management, medical treatment, or may sometimes remain unresolved.
What is the primary difference between trouble and affliction?
Trouble is a broad term for any type of difficulty, while affliction refers specifically to severe, often prolonged suffering.
What contexts are most appropriate for using the term affliction?
The term is most appropriate in contexts involving serious, chronic illnesses, deep emotional or psychological distress, or significant life-altering challenges.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Shape vs. Texture
Next Comparison
Whichever vs. WhateverAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
