noun (n)

• a state of misfortune or affliction(noun.state)

  Example:
  Debt-ridden farmers struggling with adversity.
  

  Synonym:
  hard knocks, hardship
  

  source: wordnet30
• a stroke of ill fortune; a calamitous event(noun.event)

  source: wordnet30
• Opposition; contrariety.(noun)

  source: webster1913