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 What followed was an arduous journey for the rapper. —

Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 16 Feb. 2026 Amid the arduous years in the making of Kansas City’s bid to become a 2026 FIFA World Cup host, Kathy Nelson remembered speaking several times with Chiefs president Mark Donovan about what might realistically be hoped. —

Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026 Others have to make the arduous journey on land from South America. —

Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026 Cutting down a tree can be quite an arduous undertaking, and how to kill a tree stump is a bit of a mystery. —

Steven John, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arduous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for arduous

Adjective

Mascherano said his second-half lineup change was a difficult one to make.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
The winners said the warmer-than-normal conditions made a challenging course even more difficult.

— Bo Evans, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026