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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.

Because the 11-turn, 1.968-mile Long Beach course is so tight, passing is difficult.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

Maintaining incentives like 6% APY can be difficult and may even be unsustainable over time, Xiang Zheng, an assistant professor of finance at the University of Connecticut, recently told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

They say they did their best to help a difficult patient who often resisted treatment and refused to see them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

These were usually financial and directly clashed with their duties, making it difficult for them to act objectively.

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2026

Smoke hung in the air, making it difficult to breathe.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret

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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