DIFFICULT Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'difficult' different from other adjectives like it?

The words arduous and hard are common synonyms of difficult . While all three words mean "demanding great exertion or effort," 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 would 'arduous' be a good substitute for 'difficult'?

While in some cases nearly identical to difficult , arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion. // the arduous task of rebuilding

Q: When could 'hard' be used to replace 'difficult'?

In some situations, the words hard and difficult are roughly equivalent. However, hard implies the opposite of all that is easy. // farming is hard work

difficult

adjective

ˈdi-fi-(ˌ)kəlt

Definition of difficult next

as in challenging

requiring considerable physical or mental effort difficult questions on the exam that required analytical thinking

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in tough

requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling it's a difficult situation when two of your friends are quarreling and you're trying to stay out of it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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a difficult task

a complicated task

a formidable task

a daunting task

an enormous task

a challenging task

a difficult time

a hard time

a stressful time

a frustrating time

a tough time

a troubled time

a difficult subject

an uncomfortable subject

a tricky subject

a delicate subject

a painful subject

a sensitive subject

Synonym Chooser

How is the word difficult different from other adjectives like it?

The words arduous and hard are common synonyms of difficult. While all three words mean "demanding great exertion or effort," 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 would arduous be a good substitute for difficult?

While in some cases nearly identical to difficult, arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion.

the arduous task of rebuilding

When could hard be used to replace difficult?

In some situations, the words hard and difficult are roughly equivalent. However, hard implies the opposite of all that is easy.

farming is hard work

Examples 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 difficult That means cotton can absorb up to 27 times its own weight in water, then become really difficult to dry out. —

Wes Siler, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024 All of this made Braun's early victory difficult for Democrats to accept. —

Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024 The yellow group is usually the easiest to figure out, blue and green fall in the middle, and the purple group is usually the most difficult one. —

Kris Holt, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 The key is to know what’s in your supply chain from the get-go, which can be frustratingly difficult. —

Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for difficult

Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficult

Adjective

The company continues to focus on expanding its distribution business and broadening its product range, despite the challenging economic environment.

Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
The digital detox journey can be challenging, but many people discover it to be rewarding in the end.

Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024