difficult

dif·fi·cult

adj \ˈdi-fi-(ˌ)kəlt\

Definition of DIFFICULT

1

: hard to do, make, or carry out : arduous <a difficult climb>

2

a : hard to deal with, manage, or overcome <a difficult child> b : hard to understand : puzzling <difficult reading>

— dif·fi·cult·ly adverb

Examples of DIFFICULT

1. We were asked lots of difficult questions.
2. I had to make a very difficult decision.
3. We'll be hiking over difficult terrain.
4. It's more difficult than it sounds.
5. I found myself in a difficult position.
6. Some difficult days lie ahead of us.
7. These changes will make life difficult for everyone involved.

Origin of DIFFICULT

Middle English, back-formation from difficulty

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DIFFICULT

Synonyms: arduous, Augean, backbreaking, challenging, demanding, hard, effortful, exacting, formidable, grueling (or gruelling), heavy, hellacious, herculean, killer, laborious, moiling, murderous, pick-and-shovel, rigorous, rough, rugged, severe, stiff, strenuous, sweaty, tall, testing, toilsome, tough, uphill

Antonyms: cheap, easy, effortless, facile, light, mindless, simple, soft, undemanding

Related Words: abstract, abstruse, complex, complicated, elusive, hairy, insoluble, intricate, involved, knotty, opaque, problematic (also problematical), recondite, serious, spiny, stubborn, thorny, ticklish, tricky; bruising, burdensome, exhausting, labored, onerous, oppressive, stressful, taxing, tight, trying; annoying, bothersome, distressing, irksome, troublesome, vexatious; grievous, grim, strict, stringent; brutal, cruel, inhuman, painful

Near Antonyms: achievable, clear, doable, elementary, manageable, uncomplicated; comforting, gentle, painless, relaxed, smooth, soothing; accessible, friendly, idiotproof, user-friendly

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See Synonym Discussion at hard

Rhymes with DIFFICULT

cargo cult, catapult