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 As artificial intelligence models become larger and cloud platforms process ever-growing amounts of data, one challenge is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, which is memory. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026 In the Season 2 finale, Tony, along with Silvio (Steven Van Zandt) and Paulie (Tony Sirico), makes the difficult decision to kill him off while out on a boat. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026 Mars square Neptune, on the other hand, could make shared finances, family expectations or emotional obligations more difficult to navigate. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026 But difficult as the situation may be, the family is still glad to be here. — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 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
  • Even during a challenging season, Stanek continued to showcase one of baseball's hardest fastballs with a plus slider, splitter and sweeper.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • There’s also 20-year-old Connor Zilisch, who’s had a challenging rookie season but is still one of the most prized young drivers to ever join the Cup Series.
    — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of challenging
Adjective
  • The city's local Democratic lawmakers claim that the tough-on-crime policies only temporarily reduced crime while troop presence was at its peak.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
  • Lopez and multiple bullpen arms got out of tough jams to limit the Red Sox 16 baserunners across the first nine innings to just two runs, only one earned.
    — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • Loyalty programs can become harder to understand when members are confronted with dozens of offers that have little connection to the brand’s identity.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Miami’s roster Saturday was depleted as German Berterame is out on concussion protocol after a hard hit against Montreal that resulted in him exiting the field in an ambulance.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of hard
Adjective
  • Companies that work in sensitive, regulated industries like finance are especially keen on open models, Pierre Stock, Mistral’s vice president of science, told CNN.
    — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • What scammers can steal Once installed, the malware can capture sensitive information entered on the device, including usernames, passwords, banking credentials and email logins.
    — Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • Academy leaders have repeatedly told Congress that rigorous scholarship, civilian faculty expertise and exposure to complex questions help prepare officers for the uncertainty of modern warfare.
    — James LaPorta, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • The progress marks the transition from years of design, research, and technology demonstrations to the construction of physical aircraft that will undergo rigorous testing before entering operational service.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026
Definition of rigorous
Adjective
  • The optics became nearly as problematic as the financial structure itself.
    — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • So there seems to be something actively problematic with the DNA from those lineages in these regions.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
Definition of problematic
Adjective
  • That is a demanding position to hold, and most organizations have built conditions that make holding it harder every year.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • At the 2024 Monterey Historic races, he was seen driving the 250 P aggressively around the demanding Laguna Seca track.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 31 July 2026
Definition of demanding
Adjective
  • Say the necessary thing, confirm the next step, and make your private life less complicated.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Birdie nodded, though the answer was more complicated than a simple yes.
    — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 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 7 Aug. 2026.

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