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
And due to their age and general abilities, kids end up losing a lot more than adults, and that’s really difficult!
—
Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 8 Mar. 2026
For perennial weeds, early removal limits the development of taproots, rhizomes, and other difficult to remove plant structures.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
Years after that trip, the couple acknowledged that that seemingly idyllic Pacific tour was also one of the most difficult moments of their time as active royals.
—Amaia Odriozola, Vanity Fair, 8 Mar. 2026
But the call was overturned on replay because officials decided that the ball had grazed the hand of Charlotte’s Brandt Bronico, although that was very difficult to see even in slow motion.
—Scott Fowler
march 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for difficult
Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 8 Mar. 2026
For perennial weeds, early removal limits the development of taproots, rhizomes, and other difficult to remove plant structures.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
Years after that trip, the couple acknowledged that that seemingly idyllic Pacific tour was also one of the most difficult moments of their time as active royals.
—Amaia Odriozola, Vanity Fair, 8 Mar. 2026
But the call was overturned on replay because officials decided that the ball had grazed the hand of Charlotte’s Brandt Bronico, although that was very difficult to see even in slow motion.
—Scott Fowler
march 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for difficult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficult
Adjective
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The still-to-close merger, announced on social media Tuesday, will maintain separate brands while sharing brewing facilities and other resources, helping both companies navigate a challenging craft beer industry and explore new opportunities for growth.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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This means 26 wines, which has proven a challenging but really fun experience.—
Laura Ness,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In 2008, Klay Thompson of Santa Margarita scored 37 points and made a record seven three-pointers at the notoriously tough Arco Arena in Sacramento to help the Eagles win the Division III title over Sacramento 72-55.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Punch made multiple tough baskets and got to the free-throw line as the Jayhawks struggled with his physicality.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Official statistics are hard to come by, but town residents — several of whom asked to be identified by only first names to protect their safety — estimated around 80 cars were set aflame in a municipality of just 20,000 people.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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In the absence of hard data, the kind that become available years or decades after a war, the temptation is to reach for analogies or proverbial wisdom, or any of the other heuristic shortcuts that the psychologist Daniel Kahneman thoroughly described in his book Thinking, Fast and Slow.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Fears around migration in Turkey Migration is a sensitive topic in Turkey, which at one point was hosting nearly 4 million Syrian refugees.—
Serra Yedikardes,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Australia’s policy-sensitive three-year yield climbed to its highest level since 2011, while German bund futures slid to an almost 15-year low.—
Marcus Wong,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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While minimally invasive procedures have improved cardiac care, the heart’s complex anatomy and constant motion require rigorous hands-on training to reduce procedural errors.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
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Samuels has offered up his own priorities, including safe, academically rigorous and truly integrated schools.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Market concentration is not inherently problematic.—
Svetla Ben-Itzhak,
Space.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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Their bond is forged when the children’s TV show host helps the jaded journalist navigate a difficult relationship with his problematic father.—
Suzanne Van Atten,
AJC.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Not all musicals will be as demanding as that.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
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My offspring are way more demanding.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Daylight saving time is meant to provide extra sunlight during the spring, summer and fall seasons, but in Indiana, there's a very complicated past with DST.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
8 Mar. 2026
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But neither records nor details about their release have surfaced, underscoring how complicated such disclosures can be.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Difficult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficult. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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