difficult

adjective

dif·​fi·​cult ˈdi-fi-(ˌ)kəlt How to pronounce difficult (audio)
Synonyms of difficult
1
: hard to do, make, or carry out : arduous
a difficult climb
2
a
: hard to deal with, manage, or overcome
was in a difficult position
Why must you be so difficult?
having a difficult time coping with her death
b
: hard to understand : puzzling
difficult reading
found calculus too difficult
difficultly adverb

Synonyms of difficult

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hard, difficult, arduous mean demanding great exertion or effort.

hard implies the opposite of all that is easy.

farming is hard work

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

arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion.

the arduous task of rebuilding

Examples of difficult in a Sentence

We were asked lots of difficult questions. I had to make a very difficult decision. We'll be hiking over difficult terrain. It's more difficult than it sounds. I found myself in a difficult position. Some difficult days lie ahead of us. These changes will make life difficult for everyone involved.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This immediate retirement after a loss is rare, but Cowan's decision is seen as understandable given her difficult journey. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Many people see relationships as disposable and cut people off when things get difficult, Seewald said. — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026 Maintaining a coherent strategy across a sprawling national security bureaucracy becomes more difficult over the course of a long conflict. — Dafna H. Rand, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026 If an area is too difficult to reach safely, call a professional. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for difficult

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably back-formation from difficulte difficulty

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of difficult was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

difficile
difficult
difficultly
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Cite this Entry

“Difficult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/difficult. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

difficult

adjective
dif·​fi·​cult ˈdif-i-(ˌ)kəlt How to pronounce difficult (audio)
1
: hard to do, make, or carry out
a difficult climb
2
a
: hard to deal with, manage, or overcome
a difficult child
b
: hard to understand : puzzling
difficult reading
difficultly adverb

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