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
Many parties use it as a tool to win votes, which has made passing a law extremely difficult.
—
Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
This makes the choices for leaders exceedingly difficult.
—Dr. Jonathan Reichental, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
This year’s class included one coach, Billy Donovan, which is difficult to dispute.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
Masino argued the company needed to update its image, menu and restaurants to compete in a difficult environment.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficult
Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
This makes the choices for leaders exceedingly difficult.
—Dr. Jonathan Reichental, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
This year’s class included one coach, Billy Donovan, which is difficult to dispute.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
Masino argued the company needed to update its image, menu and restaurants to compete in a difficult environment.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficult
Adjective
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To be sure, the last few years have been more challenging, with Gucci rapidly losing momentum — and Kering’s debt load swelling after an acquisition spree that included Creed, Maui Jim, a 30 percent stake in Valentino, and large chunks of prime real estate.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
9 Sep. 2025
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Ultimately, gig engineering is becoming an attractive but challenging path.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The backcourt duo of Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, also known as the StudBudz, are shifty, tough shot-making guards who can get hot in a hurry.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
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And that’s tough on those guys.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Consider how closed captioning, originally developed for deaf and hard-of-hearing users, now benefits millions in noisy environments or when audio isn't available.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Just hard to think that’ll happen coming off the Jacksonville blowout.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Bella, now three and a half years old, was described by Overbye as calm, sensitive, quiet, smart, and playful.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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Prevent this by grounding AI in your documents and adding human review for sensitive content.—
Louis Mosca,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For the next six years, Kira endured a rigorous drug treatment regime and was frequently in and out of hospitals.—
Ruchi Kumar,
NPR,
14 Sep. 2025
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During a break in the rigorous shooting schedule for the limited series, which also stars Emma Corrin and Jack Lowden, Partridge was able to squeeze in the trip with old college friends.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Paul, the perennially viral, soft-swinging, sometimes problematic yet incredibly watchable mommy influencer turned reality star via Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is the next sweetheart looking for love on ABC’s 20-year-old dating show.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
10 Sep. 2025
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This limit is problematic for those with wealth but low income in a particular year.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Bassini has observed the circuit of influencers and hopefuls who try a more demanding don’t-you-know-who-I-am approach, only to see them get turned away unceremoniously each time.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
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By contrast, six Black women have journeyed to outer space as astronauts, a job that is equally demanding and risky and for which the odds of being selected are very low.—
Gena Cox,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Rip currents are formidable natural forces, but knowing how to react can significantly increase your chances of safely navigating these challenging waters.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
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On paper, the American team looked formidable, boasting Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and other stars.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difficult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficult. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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