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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 Now, advisors using BlackRock’s custom model portfolios can offer clients across the wealth spectrum different ones to choose from, rather than going through the arduous process of selecting individual investments themselves. Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2025 The decision comes at a difficult time for the industry to attract and retain drivers due to the arduous nature of the work. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025 Revolutionizing Weather Forecasting For centuries, predicting the weather was equal parts arduous and imperfect. Larry Bradley, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025 In his first public comments since rupturing his Achilles in May, Jayson Tatum shared a positive update on his arduous rehab process. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for arduous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arduous
Adjective
  • The Bulls look to be the best team in the Group of Five conferences, while the Gators and coach Billy Napier are now under pressure with a difficult SEC schedule ahead.
    Erick Smith, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Usually the final day of boot camp is most difficult.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • To be sure, the last few years have been more challenging, with Gucci rapidly losing momentum — and Kering’s debt load swelling after an acquisition spree that included Creed, Maui Jim, a 30 percent stake in Valentino, and large chunks of prime real estate.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Ultimately, gig engineering is becoming an attractive but challenging path.
    Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s a tough dichotomy to bridge, but the new 2025 911 Carrera GTS achieves it brilliantly.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The tough stainless steel loops are reinforced and designed to remain rust-free even after years of use, and a three number combination lock will be easy to remember and difficult to crack.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Bassini has observed the circuit of influencers and hopefuls who try a more demanding don’t-you-know-who-I-am approach, only to see them get turned away unceremoniously each time.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
  • By contrast, six Black women have journeyed to outer space as astronauts, a job that is equally demanding and risky and for which the odds of being selected are very low.
    Gena Cox, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The 2025 World Beer Awards, known for their rigorous blind tastings, crowned Germany's Wolf Gang, a surprising black IPA from zum WØL BrauArt, as the top IPA.
    Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The study reports that all test results, including algorithm design, simulations, and flight data, underwent rigorous validation.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • One of the most important goals is creating a society where everyone can have the ability to succeed through education, hard work, and entrepreneurship.
    Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Developed by AeroVironment, the 20kW LOCUST Laser Weapon System (LWS) identifies, tracks, and engages a wide variety of targets with hard-kill high energy laser.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Yes, this Jaguars pass rush is formidable; Josh Hines-Allen is no joke.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
  • With the Chiefs appearing more vulnerable in a season coming off a Super Bowl trouncing, Buffalo—which opens its 2025 campaign Sunday night at home against another formidable foe, the Baltimore Ravens—is poised for a breakthrough.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Arduous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arduous. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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