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

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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 of difficult in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Comparing hurricane seasons over time in terms of costs can be difficult. —

Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024 Dense breasts have more tissue and less fat, which makes reading mammograms more difficult as tissue and possible tumors both appear white in results, according to the American Cancer Society. —

Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024 Finding an accessible live class in an unfamiliar city will be exceedingly difficult. —

Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024 Leah Abbasi, one of his attorneys, spoke about the difficult upbringing Ryan had. —

Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for difficult

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'difficult.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.