Synonyms of uphill

uphill 1 of 2

adjective

ˈəp-ˌhil 

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort

an uphill battle to eradicate poverty in an area of the state that has never known anything else

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difficult
• challenging
• tough
• hard
• rigorous
• demanding
• formidable
• heavy
• strenuous
• complicated
• arduous
• rough
• rugged
• sweaty
• effortful
• tall
• exhausting
• grueling
• severe
• laborious
• painful
• backbreaking
• testing
• toilsome
• murderous
• herculean
• stiff
• killer
• complex
• intricate
• serious
• exacting
• hellacious
• pick-and-shovel
• problematic
• tricky
• annoying
• moiling
• stubborn
• elusive
• brutal
• bruising
• hairy
• involved
• stressful
• thorny
• oppressive
• grim
• Augean
• troublesome
• labored
• trying
• insoluble
• burdensome
• tight
• onerous
• abstract
• knotty
• abstruse
• ticklish
• spiny
• taxing
• irksome
• opaque
• bothersome
• recondite
• vexatious
• strict
• distressing
• cruel
• stringent
• grievous
• inhuman

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• light
• simple
• soft
• effortless
• cheap
• elementary
• clear
• manageable
• undemanding
• facile
• doable
• achievable
• mindless
• uncomplicated
• smooth
• gentle
• painless
• soothing
• comforting
• relaxed
• accessible
• friendly
• user-friendly
• idiotproof

uphill

2 of 2

noun

ˈəp-ˌhil 

as in hill

an upward slope

no matter where you go bicycle touring, the uphills always seem to outnumber the downhills

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hill
• incline
• ascent
• climb
• inclination
• gradient
• acclivity
• rise
• upgrade
• lean
• ridge
• diagonal
• uprise
• tilt
• pitch
• rake
• glacis
• cant
• grade
• swell
• hump
• mound

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• downhill
• decline
• fall
• descent
• dip
• declivity
• hanging
• downgrade
• declension
• depression
• basin
• drop-off
• hollow
• hang

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of uphill

Adjective

Winning Texas as a Democrat is an uphill feat, as voters haven’t elected a Democrat statewide in more than three decades. — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026

Even before learning if Conner has any innate dance skills like his wife, these two are facing an uphill climb for votes with no real star power on either side of the partnership to lean on. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026

Noun

But too often, getting change into a medical school curriculum is like pushing a stone uphill. — Dr. Marschall Runge, Forbes.com, 1 May 2026

The moment that will likely endure from Klæbo’s perfect Olympics happened on a brutal uphill during the sprint. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026