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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of difficult
These conditions make travel difficult.
—
Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2025
Classic Cinnamon Rolls Cinnamon rolls can be difficult to get right, but baking them from frozen makes the process much easier.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025
Even with the benefit of polling data and insights from primaries and historical trends, predicting the winners of traditional political elections is difficult.
—Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 11 Oct. 2025
While critical local and Indigenous knowledge is recognized in the report, it is largely excluded from assessments, both because weaving it with conventional scientific analysis is difficult or because communities may choose to protect certain knowledge.
—Jessica Beaudette, The Conversation, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficult
Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2025
Classic Cinnamon Rolls Cinnamon rolls can be difficult to get right, but baking them from frozen makes the process much easier.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025
Even with the benefit of polling data and insights from primaries and historical trends, predicting the winners of traditional political elections is difficult.
—Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 11 Oct. 2025
While critical local and Indigenous knowledge is recognized in the report, it is largely excluded from assessments, both because weaving it with conventional scientific analysis is difficult or because communities may choose to protect certain knowledge.
—Jessica Beaudette, The Conversation, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficult
Adjective
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Meanwhile, my nephew, who’s 7, is down for a more challenging build like the Star Wars Paz Vizsla and Moff Gideon Battle set, which is currently $23 off.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Oct. 2025
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Taking the creative helm of Chanel as only the fourth artistic director to ever lead the house, Blazy has been entrusted with one of the biggest and most sought-after — although perhaps not the most challenging — jobs in fashion.—
Fiona Sinclair Scott,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The end result of a tough negotiation that included a nearly two-week blackout of Disney channels on Charter in 2023 was a much closer working relationship between the two.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
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Just a week after giving birth, Menish took her six-hour Evidence exam from home in December 2023 — one of the toughest finals in the curriculum.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That’s the beauty of the league — every play matters and every play is hard to execute.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Oct. 2025
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And help may be harder to find because some insurers no longer pay brokers commissions for new business.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Options may include topical corticosteroids or nonsteroidal immunomodulators, which are often used on sensitive areas or for long-term control.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
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Made without parabens, soaps or alcohols, the hypoallergenic wipes are great for all skin types, including sensitive skin.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Here’s how all four teams look heading into their Championship Series, along with some rigorous, confident analysis for each team.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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Whereas degree programs have to go through rigorous faculty and administrative oversight, which can take years, non-degree programs don’t require the same kind of oversight.—
Chris Quintana,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The city has had too many scandals and problematic politicians who have not attached crucial sectors of our city.—
Miami Herald Staff,
Miami Herald,
8 Oct. 2025
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And most boys — 69% — also regularly see content promoting gender roles in problematic ways, such as posts suggesting girls prefer to date a particular kind of guy or use their looks to achieve their goals, according to the survey.—
Kara Alaimo,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The players are afforded down time, however, and this first week will be nowhere near as demanding as an in-season training week.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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This division of labor reportedly reduces one of the most physically demanding aspects of solar farm construction.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rip currents are formidable natural forces, but knowing how to react can significantly increase your chances of safely navigating these challenging waters.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Oct. 2025
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With the Eagles’ offensive line not as formidable as last season, Barkley was back to his feast or famine style.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difficult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficult. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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