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 Nike’s arduous turnaround process continues, with the April layoffs marking the second round of cuts in 2026. —

Katie Abel, Footwear News, 9 May 2026 Caglianone had the arduous task of scoring the baserunner. —

Jaylon Thompson may 3, Kansas City Star, 3 May 2026 Golden Tempo, like its trainer, had to make its own arduous climb, galloping from last place all the way to a victory. —

Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 3 May 2026 Once Chevrolet gets a handle on its new car, that should help Trackhouse and RCR rebound, but in the meantime, the path forward for each is an arduous one. —

Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arduous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for arduous

Adjective

When Thomson went through a difficult divorce, in 2014, Djena would often check in on her, showing up at her door with food.

— Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Crow-Armstrong had just failed to make a highly difficult, leaping catch at the wall.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026