1
as in challenging
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
difficult questions on the exam that required analytical thinking
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of difficult
These conditions make travel difficult.
—
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 Nov. 2025
The scale of the violence is difficult to ascertain, according to Shashwat Saraf, the Norwegian Refugee Council's country director for Sudan.
—Guy Davies, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2025
But Bessent’s suggestion that the dividend may not involve fresh allocations would also help sidestep difficult budget math.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
Facing violence at home in Myanmar and increasingly difficult living conditions in sprawling refugee camps in Bangladesh, Rohingya from both countries regularly attempt perilous journeys by sea, including to Malaysia and Indonesia.
—Reuters, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficult
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 Nov. 2025
The scale of the violence is difficult to ascertain, according to Shashwat Saraf, the Norwegian Refugee Council's country director for Sudan.
—Guy Davies, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2025
But Bessent’s suggestion that the dividend may not involve fresh allocations would also help sidestep difficult budget math.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
Facing violence at home in Myanmar and increasingly difficult living conditions in sprawling refugee camps in Bangladesh, Rohingya from both countries regularly attempt perilous journeys by sea, including to Malaysia and Indonesia.
—Reuters, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficult
Adjective
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But last month, Critchfield backed off in the face of a challenging state budget.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Depending on where in the country your family lives, winter can be a challenging time for kids who are cooped up inside amid the chillier weather.—
Mia Taylor,
Parents,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This leads to families having to make tough decisions, said Cindy Kincaid, family caregiver program manager at Centralina Regional Council.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
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She's been amazing, a sort of brutal support, tough lover, very educational.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Of all my books, Helm has been so hard and so lovingly written.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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Regardless, making amends with Ronnie is harder than Lilly would like.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The commission said the report overlooks other time-sensitive cases that don't require intake appointments.—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Cold conditions may damage or kill sensitive crops, plants, and vegetation if appropriate precautions are not taken.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors.—
Harlan Vaughn,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The Encinitas Green Business Network provides a rigorous framework for local organizations to reduce their environmental footprint through actionable, practical, and high-impact improvements.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Those costs, Adler said, include slowing down response times, increasing the number of computations and sometimes the model rejecting non-problematic requests.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
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The Sabres run into some significant issues down the lineup — upgrading the fourth line should be among Kekäläinen’s most pressing priorities between now and the trade deadline — but young centre Noah Ostlund has helped give Buffalo’s usually problematic fourth line some connective heft and floor.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Philadelphia first tried the 24-year-old at center but eventually moved him to the wing, presumably because of his struggles in the faceoff circle (just 39 percent of draws won) and because the wing is a less demanding defensive position.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Both must meet demanding performance standards, operate on efficient edge-compute systems, deliver provable safety, and scale in a commercially viable way.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But, the good news is that cleaning shower grout isn't complicated.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
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So there are a lot of complicated emotions and a mixture of emotions happening, as well as gestures.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Difficult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficult. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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