1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
climbing Mount Everest is an arduous, exhausting challenge
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2
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
the arduous task of doing the research for my term paper
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Recent Examples of arduous
The dogsledding sequences are exhilarating to watch but were arduous to shoot.
—
Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 1 Aug. 2025
What previously consisted of a boat ride from Ille-a-Vache and then a bus ride into the capital along a main highway suddenly became an arduous journey through gang tolls, shootouts and police blockades.
—Miami Herald, 29 July 2025
Christine put that same amount of time into another award-winning story that chronicled the arduous physical journey of a survivor of the 2007 crash that killed five Oswego teenagers and sent the driver to prison for over a decade.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
Navigating Loss Navigating such immense and compounded grief has been an arduous journey for LaRocque.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for arduous
Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 1 Aug. 2025
What previously consisted of a boat ride from Ille-a-Vache and then a bus ride into the capital along a main highway suddenly became an arduous journey through gang tolls, shootouts and police blockades.
—Miami Herald, 29 July 2025
Christine put that same amount of time into another award-winning story that chronicled the arduous physical journey of a survivor of the 2007 crash that killed five Oswego teenagers and sent the driver to prison for over a decade.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2025
Navigating Loss Navigating such immense and compounded grief has been an arduous journey for LaRocque.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for arduous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arduous
Adjective
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Palace’s recruitment strategy depends on selling players, however difficult such deals are to stomach.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
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The Chamber said the cancellation was a difficult decision but ultimately the best course of action.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Taking the most challenging courses available — like AP, IB, honors, or dual enrollment classes — signals preparedness for college-level work.—
Liz Doe Stone,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Because of this consistent advocacy, the Mayor selected me to help lead efforts to move Council forward through this challenging time.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The logistics of pushing autonomous vessels out into the deep Pacific is tough.—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Sanctions have roiled Russia's economy and Trump could use tougher measures as leverage over Putin, said Richard Portes, professor of economics at London Business School.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Baldwin has done it while playing the most difficult and demanding position on the diamond, mentally in terms of daily meetings and film study, and physically from the toll of working beneath pads in the summer heat and getting nicked up from foul tips, collisions and occasional wayward swings.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
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This has come as a result of America being too demanding and being very political.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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While the certification was not specifically a result of litigation, pursuing rigorous, third-party validation of AI practices is increasingly viewed as an industry best practice.—
Marc Blythe,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Every insurance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
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Whether those numbers are an overstatement, or possibly an understatement, is hard to say.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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After decades of battling brutal conditions in the Bering Sea, Hansen, 59, is now facing something even more formidable than icy waves — his own mortality.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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Huntington Beach: The Oilers remain formidable with the return of All-County duo of Roxie Shaia and Taylor Savage at quarterback and wide receiver, respectively. 4.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Arduous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arduous. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.
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