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Synonym Chooser

How is the word arduous different from other adjectives like it?

The words difficult and hard are common synonyms of arduous. While all three words mean "demanding great exertion or effort," arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion.

the arduous task of rebuilding

When could difficult be used to replace arduous?

While in some cases nearly identical to arduous, difficult implies the presence of obstacles to be surmounted or puzzles to be resolved and suggests the need of skill or courage.

the difficult ascent of the mountain

When is it sensible to use hard instead of arduous?

The synonyms hard and arduous are sometimes interchangeable, but hard implies the opposite of all that is easy.

farming is hard work

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of arduous Luminous writing tempers this memoir of an arduous trail with moments of sublime beauty. The Know, The Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2025 In such violent winds, the simple task of breathing is arduous. Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 30 Jan. 2025 Following Zack’s arduous journey through both a grueling basic training overseen by tough Gunnery Sergeant Foley (Gossett) and a trial-by-fire relationship with local factory worker Paula (Winger), Hackford’s gripping film moves from personal tragedy to crowd-pleasing finale. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2025 The first step in Los Angeles, too, will involve removing the remnants of homes and belongings, a process that could take months as officials sort out the details of the arduous and environmentally sensitive process. Heather Knight, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for arduous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arduous
Adjective
  • 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
Adjective
  • The director William Friedkin’s film—which also won Best Picture—was part of a tidal wave of challenging, morally complex storytelling that washed ashore starting in the late ’60s.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Builders are facing a challenging market with mixed economic signals.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • 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
  • Using rigorous logical frameworks and Turing-computable methods, BigGraph ensures trustworthy, adaptable outcomes that align with business needs.
    Jason Phillips, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
  • That is thanks to many decades of rigorous bank supervision and regulation, as well as federal deposit insurance.
    Felix Salmon, Axios, 14 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
  • Whether those numbers are an overstatement, or possibly an understatement, is hard to say.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Arduous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arduous. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on arduous

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