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Definitions

difficult

[dif-i-kuhlt, -kuhlt] / ˈdɪf ɪˌkʌlt, -kəlt /
ADJECTIVE
hard on someone; hard to do
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ambitious arduous burdensome challenging crucial demanding laborious onerous painful problematic severe strenuous tough troublesome
WEAK
backbreaker bothersome difficile easier said than done effortful exacting formidable galling gargantuan hard-won heavy herculean immense intricate irritating labored no picnic not easy operose problem prohibitive rigid stiff titanic toilsome trying unyielding uphill upstream wearisome
Antonyms
STRONGEST
easy effortless facile helpful nice trivial
WEAK
calm free friendly manageable plain simple sociable straightforward uncomplicated
ADJECTIVE
complicated; hard to comprehend
Synonyms
STRONGEST
complex confusing delicate troublesome
WEAK
abstract abstruse baffling bewildering confounding dark deep enigmatic enigmatical entangled esoteric formidable hard to explain hard to solve hidden inexplicable intricate involved knotty labyrinthine loose meandering mysterious mystical mystifying nice obscure obstinate paradoxical perplexing problematical profound puzzling rambling subtle tangled thorny ticklish unclear unfathomable unintelligible vexing
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clear easy
WEAK
calm free friendly manageable plain simple sociable straightforward uncomplicated
ADJECTIVE
unmanageable socially
Synonyms
STRONGEST
demanding grim intractable tough troublesome
WEAK
argumentative bearish boorish dark fastidious finicky fractious fussy hard to please impolite irritable oafish obstreperous perverse picky refractory rigid rude tiresome trying unaccommodating unamenable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
easy facile nice
WEAK
calm free friendly manageable plain simple sociable straightforward uncomplicated

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The first task was to put them in chronological order, something made more difficult by the fact that some of the documents were undated.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Gusty winds are expected along the mountains and deserts of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties — enough to down tree limbs and trees and make driving high-profile vehicles difficult.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

Challenges in Cuenca include difficult travel, national strikes and occasional power outages.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

"There are surely planets out there. It's just that they are difficult to detect with current instruments," said co-author Jihad Touma, a physics professor at the American University of Beirut.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2026

It wasn’t so difficult, almost like climbing a tree.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff

Vocabulary lists containing difficult

President Obama's second inaugural address

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"Angels in the Snow"

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Obama's speech at Connecticut vigil

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