Is there a single-word antonym for "Opportunity"?

Question

We would often say there is "an opportunity" somewhere, but I can't find any evidence of a word to describe a dearth of opportunity. It's derived from opportune, which has inopportune as a negation, but the shape of an inopportunity doesn't seem correct and is very clunky to say. Is there a single word meaning "no opportunity"?

voyager · Accepted Answer

In business management context, the antonym of 'opportunity' is 'threat'. An 'opportunity' by definition is a circumstance where one has possibility of gaining some benefit, and a 'threat' is exactly the opposite - a circumstance where one has possibility of some loss.

However, in day-to-day context, we could take 'adversity' as antonym for 'opportunity'. 'Adversity' here meaning an unfavorable condition/circumstance, whereas 'opportunity' meaning favorable condition/circumstance.

SamuelVimes · Answer

I fear it is not quite the same, but perhaps you can use misfortune or contretemps, if you want to imply the sense of an unfortunate event as opposed to a favorable combination of circumstances.

Or perhaps you can use inconvenience or hindrance if you want to imply the sense of a difficulty

Papa Poule · Answer

Dead-end is used as both adjective and noun to convey the notion of lack of opportunity. (The Free Dictionary).

To the extent that you’re also considering antonyms for “opportunity” as well as terms describing the absence thereof (e.g., my earlier suggestion of “dead-end,” above), the words ‘opportunities’ and ‘pitfalls’ are sometimes juxtaposed to show contrast (if not opposition), especially when discussing those that are hidden (although slightly redundant with 'pitfall')  and/or potential.

Pitfall/noun = a danger or problem that is hidden or not obvious at first (Merriam-Webster)

And to add one more suggestion for the “absence of opportunity” angle  of your quest to go with “dead-end,” since many opportunities are unfortunately ‘wasted,’ perhaps a “wasteland” could describe the place or state where these wasted opportunities go to languish alongside those that never were.

Wasteland/noun/3 = something, as a period of history, phase of existence, or locality, that is spiritually or intellectually barren.  (Dictionary[dot]com)

John · Answer

Jeopardy carries the idea of dividing instead of multiplying. Definition of jeopardy: danger of loss, harm, or failure.
legal Definition of jeopardy. 1 : exposure to or imminence of death, loss, or injury. 2 : the danger of conviction that an accused person is subjected to when on trial for a criminal offense.

Is there a single-word antonym for "Opportunity"?

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