difficult

adjective

dif·​fi·​cult ˈdi-fi-(ˌ)kəlt How to pronounce difficult (audio)
1
: hard to do, make, or carry out : arduous
a difficult climb
2
a
: hard to deal with, manage, or overcome
a difficult child
having a difficult time coping with her death
b
: hard to understand : puzzling
difficult reading
found calculus too difficult
difficultly adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for difficult

hard, difficult, arduous mean demanding great exertion or effort.

hard implies the opposite of all that is easy.

farming is hard work

difficult implies the presence of obstacles to be surmounted or puzzles to be resolved and suggests the need of skill or courage.

the difficult ascent of the mountain

arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion.

the arduous task of rebuilding

Examples of difficult in a Sentence

We were asked lots of difficult questions. I had to make a very difficult decision. We'll be hiking over difficult terrain. It's more difficult than it sounds. I found myself in a difficult position. Some difficult days lie ahead of us. These changes will make life difficult for everyone involved.
Recent Examples on the Web Paul’s mother, the Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) isn’t in Messiah (something that’s difficult to imagine Villeneuve not changing), and the story lacks obvious villains like the Harkonnens to drive the narrative. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 The speech — as well as the response — reflect how difficult the border issue has become ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024 Playing on the second night of a back-to-back is challenging enough, but the opponent will make this one especially difficult. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 Certain destinations near or in the heart of Norwood may be more difficult to reach because of the closure. The Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2024 These are tide-changing moves and are vital in the more difficult battles. Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 That question — what could’ve been? — is a difficult one to shake for Davidson (15-15, 5-12 Atlantic 10). Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 7 Mar. 2024 International comparisons on femicide rates can be difficult, but those who do track such numbers suggest that Italy’s femicide problem has been persistent. Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2024 How could such a fundamental concept be so difficult to grasp? Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'difficult.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably back-formation from difficulte difficulty

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of difficult was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near difficult

Cite this Entry

“Difficult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/difficult. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

difficult

adjective
dif·​fi·​cult ˈdif-i-(ˌ)kəlt How to pronounce difficult (audio)
1
: hard to do, make, or carry out
a difficult climb
2
a
: hard to deal with, manage, or overcome
a difficult child
b
: hard to understand : puzzling
difficult reading
difficultly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on difficult

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