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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of difficult Musk’s position in the Trump administration will be as a nongovernmental adviser through his co-lead of a government efficiency commission, so his actual authority is more difficult to measure than that of a Cabinet secretary or a full-time White House staffer. —

David Ingram, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024 Recovering from identity is a lot more difficult than just changing your credit card number. —

Senitra Horbrook, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024 So trying to get your voice there and control the inflections and all was very difficult. —

Michael Schneider, Variety, 19 Dec. 2024 But extracting data from a phone can be extremely difficult, depending on the model of the phone and the operating system. —

Holly Yan, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for difficult

Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficult

Adjective

Choosing the best baked ham online can be challenging—there are glazed and non-glazed options, spiral-cut and whole, boneless and bone-in, and large or small hams.

Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2024
Gracefully opting out Navigating the discomfort of setting boundaries around gift-giving traditions can be challenging.

Julianna Bragg, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024