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Synonym Chooser

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

The words arduous and hard are common synonyms of difficult. While all three words mean "demanding great exertion or effort," 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 would arduous be a good substitute for difficult?

While in some cases nearly identical to difficult, arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion.

the arduous task of rebuilding

When could hard be used to replace difficult?

In some situations, the words hard and difficult are roughly equivalent. However, hard implies the opposite of all that is easy.

farming is hard work

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of difficult Sepsis among children is a very difficult and elusive problem for physicians to diagnose and treat, with almost 10% of cases being missed in the emergency room. Dr. Marc Siegel , Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025 Now, broad cuts to North Carolina Medicaid will make finding and paying for care even more difficult. Bram Sable-Smith, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025 Be patient at the airport, as the people serving passengers are doing vital work under difficult conditions. Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 4 Oct. 2025 All Ed Gein ever wanted was for his mother to be proud of him, and to get there was difficult. William Earl, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for difficult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficult
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, my nephew, who’s 7, is down for a more challenging build like the Star Wars Paz Vizsla and Moff Gideon Battle set, which is currently $23 off.
    Anja Webb, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Taking the creative helm of Chanel as only the fourth artistic director to ever lead the house, Blazy has been entrusted with one of the biggest and most sought-after — although perhaps not the most challenging — jobs in fashion.
    Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The end result of a tough negotiation that included a nearly two-week blackout of Disney channels on Charter in 2023 was a much closer working relationship between the two.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Just a week after giving birth, Menish took her six-hour Evidence exam from home in December 2023 — one of the toughest finals in the curriculum.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Before referrals were halted, the effort that placed people at the Civic had already moved hard-to-reach homeless people from the street to a shelter space and, in many cases, then on to long-term housing and stability.
    Ashley Hiruko, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Whether the Jedi mind trick played a role Sunday is hard to quantify, but the message was obvious.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Options may include topical corticosteroids or nonsteroidal immunomodulators, which are often used on sensitive areas or for long-term control.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Made without parabens, soaps or alcohols, the hypoallergenic wipes are great for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The coins will undergo a rigorous conservation process before being given to local museums for public display, according to the company.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
  • During a recent appearance on Vulture’s Good One podcast, the standup recalled prepping for the rigorous audition process for a year while doing improv and working day jobs in Chicago.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The city has had too many scandals and problematic politicians who have not attached crucial sectors of our city.
    Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2025
  • And most boys — 69% — also regularly see content promoting gender roles in problematic ways, such as posts suggesting girls prefer to date a particular kind of guy or use their looks to achieve their goals, according to the survey.
    Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The players are afforded down time, however, and this first week will be nowhere near as demanding as an in-season training week.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • This division of labor reportedly reduces one of the most physically demanding aspects of solar farm construction.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Rip currents are formidable natural forces, but knowing how to react can significantly increase your chances of safely navigating these challenging waters.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2025
  • With the Eagles’ offensive line not as formidable as last season, Barkley was back to his feast or famine style.
    Dan Duggan, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Difficult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficult. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on difficult

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