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Showing results for difficult.
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 conditions however did make it difficult for him to meet his target and he described the winter months as "really, really tough".

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

It’s difficult to imagine he meant that “gatekeeper” to be Trump, who had no official role in 2001.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

But without sufficient support, training and organized enterprise data, the technology is often difficult to adopt.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

Though Arini finished 4% ahead that difficult year, he recruited Deutsche Bank trader Ardacan Celebi, another graduate of a French math school.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Yet it proved more difficult to leave the spirits than anticipated.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.