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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of difficult
The Tottenham full-back has become an emotional lightning rod for fans and his head coach at this World Cup, but his recovery pace and appetite for one-v-one defending will be needed in the difficult conditions of the Azteca.
—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
4 July 2026
Weeth said bootleggers purchase fireworks from manufacturers in China and who, for a fee, package the fireworks in colorful branding, which are more difficult to track and often lack proper warnings.
—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
4 July 2026
In the year since RJ and Annie Harber lost their young daughters in the Central Texas floods, getting out of bed has become difficult.
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Brian Brant,
PEOPLE,
4 July 2026
It’s been a difficult year for the Royals, but Witt has produced many memorable moments in the first half of the 2026 season.
—
Kansas City Star,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for difficult
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
4 July 2026
Weeth said bootleggers purchase fireworks from manufacturers in China and who, for a fee, package the fireworks in colorful branding, which are more difficult to track and often lack proper warnings.
—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
4 July 2026
In the year since RJ and Annie Harber lost their young daughters in the Central Texas floods, getting out of bed has become difficult.
—
Brian Brant,
PEOPLE,
4 July 2026
It’s been a difficult year for the Royals, but Witt has produced many memorable moments in the first half of the 2026 season.
—
Kansas City Star,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for difficult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficult
Adjective
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This enduring legacy, underscores the lawyer's role as an officer of the court, preserving the rule of law even when challenging authority.
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Educate your family on our country’s history, both good and challenging.
Adjective
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MacDonald agrees that some of Kiros' positions could put Democratic candidates in a tough spot.
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The 34 measures include cuts to income tax for low- and middle income families, an overhaul of the creaking pension system, tougher rules for employees' sick leave and a reduction of the country's stifling bureaucracy.
Adjective
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In the days leading up to his show, Chavarria and his team were hard at work in his make-shift studio in the 6th arrondissement.
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Closing a chapter, not the relationships For Sevy, the hardest part is closing this chapter with the people who made the place feel like home.
Adjective
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Rescuers then wait intently for any indication of life, using sensitive microphones or telescopic cameras or simply pressing an ear against the rubble, hoping to detect a voice, a knock or the faintest movement.
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So far, the administration has sued multiple states unsuccessfully in attempts to obtain sensitive voter-roll data to run through a federal database known as the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, program.
Adjective
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Every cybersecurity article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors.
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This improves both customer and agent experience, while still meeting rigorous business standards around accuracy, reliability, and risk management.
Adjective
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In a 2025 report issued on Tuesday, the intelligence agency said there were no indications that the party had backed off its problematic views.
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This is where overly conservative portfolios can become problematic.
Adjective
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Building a paper airplane can be as demanding as building the airframe of a real aircraft.
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Once the evaluation process is complete, the company plans to scale production to thousands of units over the next three years, targeting manufacturers seeking to automate physically demanding and hazardous work.
Adjective
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But a closer examination paints a more complicated picture.
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The city also has some of the world’s most complicated rules about air-conditioning installation.
Cite this Entry
“Difficult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficult. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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