difficult

adjective

ˈdi-fi-(ˌ)kəlt How to pronounce difficult (audio)
Definition of difficultnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example 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 Sanabria said the city will need to make difficult decisions when deciding which expenses are absolutely necessary. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 This is one of the most difficult and heartbreaking scenes our officers and investigators have ever encountered. — Michael Sinkewicz , Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026 In addition, significant ponding of water on low-lying beach roadways could make driving difficult. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026 There’s also the question of repairing equipment, which is much more difficult in space. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for difficult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficult
  1. challenging
  2. tough
  3. hard
  4. sensitive
  5. rigorous
  6. problematic
  7. demanding
  8. complicated
Adjective
  • Disappointingly, her screenplay proceeds to unfold in a procession of frustrating get-outs and compromises, repeatedly choosing the least interesting or challenging direction to take this would-be throuple.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Oscar-winning DoP Greig Fraser knows a thing or two about working on challenging movies, from Dune to The Batman, Rogue One to Zero Dark Thirty.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of challenging
Adjective
  • Now, Germino says her social media presence is all about giving other patients going through the same tough decision an example of someone who’s thriving after the procedure.
    — Kara McGrath, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's administration is about to start tough budget negotiations against a backdrop of division and economic turmoil.
    — Chloe Taylor,Jenni Reid, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • Two innings later, the Dodgers took the lead again, rewarded for hard contact as the Brewers’ defense showed its first signs of sloppy play.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Games Can’t Gamble on Talent Opportunities to develop emerging talent are becoming harder to find, particularly in video games, van Beek said.
    — Callum McLennan, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of hard
Adjective
  • Another network had received the notification by late Saturday, according to a person familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share sensitive details.
    — Miriam Waldvogel, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Pictet seemed sensitive to the moral risk of going into Syria for the wrong reasons.
    — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • The list takes months to compile, with multiple steps and checks designed to ensure the ranking is rigorous and consistent.
    — Kelli Grant, CFP®,Riley de León, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • With rigorous reporting and more than 150 interviews with those working for the US’ most influential AI companies, technology journalist Roose covers Silicon Valley’s breakneck race to build artificial general intelligence.
    — Mary Lawrence Ware, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of rigorous
Adjective
  • That can become especially problematic after retirement, when income may be more limited and unexpected expenses could otherwise push card balances higher.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • There was a palpable sense of everything crumbling around you in terms of the culture, and even social interaction became problematic.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of problematic
Adjective
  • The researchers plan to continue improving the system and evaluate it on more demanding manipulation tasks.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In civil denaturalization cases, the government generally must prove its case in federal court with clear, unequivocal and convincing evidence, a demanding standard that reflects the importance of citizenship and the consequences of revoking it.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of demanding
Adjective
  • International funding, Patil says, means long waits, complicated contracts and co-production treaties, and Indian filmmakers end up chasing the same grants as professionals from wealthier countries.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Birmingham Industrious, unassuming Birmingham has overcome an at-times fraught and complicated past to develop food, music, and cultural scenes that show the world why it's called the Magic City.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of complicated

Browse Nearby Words

differs (over)
difficult
difficulties
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Cite this Entry

“Difficult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficult. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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