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Definition of "plight" []

  • A situation, especially a bad or unfortunate one. See Synonyms at predicament. (noun)
  • To promise or bind by a solemn pledge, especially to betroth. (verb-transitive)
  • To give or pledge (one's word or oath, for example). (verb-transitive)
  • A solemn pledge, as of faith. (noun)
  • Plight (one's) troth To become engaged to marry. (idiom)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "plight" in a sentence
  • "Former crown prince Reza Pahlavi, who has lived in the United States since 1984, has traveled around the world to raise awareness of what he calls the plight of Iranians living under the Islamic regime in Iran."
  • "Since our common plight is precisely to live in such uncertainty, what's wrong with this?"
  • "Manoosh's plight is almost identical to what Chuck went through when he was first brought into the CIA fold."