1
as in challenging
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
difficult questions on the exam that required analytical thinking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
a difficult task
a difficult time
a difficult subject
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of difficult
But daylight saving time throws that natural cycle a bit out of whack, and that can be particularly difficult for kids.
—
Dina Roth Port, Parents, 7 Mar. 2025
On the other hand lies the more difficult but ultimately more promising path: repudiation of that post-2008 legacy and a conscientious return to a politics of the prudential center.
—Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Stars of Durant’s stature can be notoriously difficult to pin down for interviews.
—Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
But breaking with Russian gas has been difficult for Austria, which until recently was one of a handful of European countries to keep importing the fuel by pipeline.
—Stanley Reed, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficult
Dina Roth Port, Parents, 7 Mar. 2025
On the other hand lies the more difficult but ultimately more promising path: repudiation of that post-2008 legacy and a conscientious return to a politics of the prudential center.
—Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Stars of Durant’s stature can be notoriously difficult to pin down for interviews.
—Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
But breaking with Russian gas has been difficult for Austria, which until recently was one of a handful of European countries to keep importing the fuel by pipeline.
—Stanley Reed, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficult
Adjective
-
With a very small majority, and assuming united Democratic opposition, finding House votes in support of a final budget package will be very challenging.—
Richard McGahey,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Luise, what was the most challenging aspect of this film for you?—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
How to Bet Timberwolves vs. Lakers Following up a game like Tuesday's would be tough for the Wolves under any circumstances, but with Edwards battling a calf injury and DiVincenzo potentially sidelined, beating the Lakers in L.A. will be that much more difficult.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
-
This all adds up to a tough investment outlook for any business looking at Ukraine’s mineral supply.—
Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
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Whether those numbers are an overstatement, or possibly an understatement, is hard to say.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
-
The exfiltrated data included the following browser files, which can store login cookies, passwords, browsing histories, and other sensitive data.—
Dan Goodin,
Ars Technica,
7 Mar. 2025
-
To begin the transition to PQC, assess what of your critical infrastructure deals with high volumes of sensitive data.—
Anurag Lal,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
All in all, even a moderate approach was like 12-hours of rigorous cardio.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2025
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Every mortgage article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of mortgage products.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
While many countries, states and major companies have taken steps to ban problematic plastics and set ambitious goals for waste reduction, the collective effort is still falling far short of what's needed to stem the tide of plastic waste.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
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The film has been embroiled in controversy in recent weeks after its star, Karla Sofía Gascón — who is nominated for Best Actress — had several problematic social media posts resurface online.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
As agriculture became less demanding, the sector required fewer workers, enabling erstwhile farmers to work in a spectrum of other trades, including the high-technology industries of each generation, such as textiles, telegraphs, and telecommunications.—
Matthew J. Slaughter,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
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Find early investors in your circle of family and friends, since outside investors may be very demanding on equity and content and normally require at least a prototype to start.—
Martin Zwilling,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
JPMorgan said the stock is at an attractive entry point with lower expectations and a formidable path for growth.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2025
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The exec has formidable experience across the live-action and animation spheres as well as family fare.—
James Hibberd,
The Hollywood Reporter,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difficult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficult. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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