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Synonym Chooser

How is the word arduous different from other adjectives like it?

The words difficult and hard are common synonyms of arduous. While all three words mean "demanding great exertion or effort," arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion.

the arduous task of rebuilding

When could difficult be used to replace arduous?

While in some cases nearly identical to arduous, 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

When is it sensible to use hard instead of arduous?

The synonyms hard and arduous are sometimes interchangeable, but hard implies the opposite of all that is easy.

farming is hard work

Examples of arduous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Compliance with any new legislation can be arduous. Suzanne Herman, refinery29.com, 2 Oct. 2024 Now he’s been tasked with preparing the next generation of leaders for a murkier, more arduous future in the technology that makes much of modern life possible. Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2024 People who take psychedelics can experience bad trips and unpleasant or dangerous side effects, and the drugs can be time-intensive and arduous to administer. Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024 As of June, around 34,200 North Koreans had resettled in South Korea, mostly after arduous, sometimes life-threatening journeys, usually via China, to escape poverty and oppression at home, according to Seoul’s unification ministry. Reuters, NBC News, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for arduous 

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

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Thesaurus Entries Near arduous

Cite this Entry

“Arduous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arduous. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on arduous

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