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Showing results for difficult. Search instead for difficult/5.
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.

"This is extremely difficult – perhaps one of the most challenging tasks."

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Layoffs can be difficult to anticipate, with pink slips now popping up in a 6 a.m. email.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Workers are spending longer spells in unemployment; they are having a more difficult time finding jobs.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

And zoning restrictions or pushback from locals in the Hartford suburbs make it difficult to build anything other than a single-family home.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

He heard a splash behind him and immediately started crawling up the bank, hoping Rashawn was right about how difficult it was for a large gator to get up a slippery hill.

From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith

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