ARDUOUS Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

arduous

adjective

ˈär-jə-wəs

Definition of arduous next

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort climbing Mount Everest is an arduous, exhausting challenge

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in challenging

requiring much time, effort, or careful attention the arduous task of doing the research for my term paper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 arduous Last year’s law expanded the SALT deduction to $40,000 from $10,000 after arduous negotiations with Republicans, including Lawler, whose district has high local taxes. —

Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 May 2026 But this is still at the expense of a long and sometimes arduous process; these LEGO F1 helmets are probably more over-engineered than their real-life counterparts. —

Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 Especially since the most anguishing and arduous steps often are acknowledging the issue and humbling oneself to reach out. —

Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026 Last year’s Big Beautiful Bill law expanded the SALT deduction to $40,000 after arduous negotiations with Republicans, including Lawler, whose district has high local taxes. —

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for arduous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for arduous

Adjective

That was so tragic, so difficult for Prince William and Prince Harry which has stayed with them.

— Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
Every business leader waiting for a difficult market to come around should pay attention to what happened in Seoul.

— Bill Schiffmiller, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026