ARDUOUS Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

arduous

adjective

ˈär-jə-wəs

Definition of arduous next

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort climbing Mount Everest is an arduous, exhausting challenge

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in challenging

requiring much time, effort, or careful attention the arduous task of doing the research for my term paper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Ahead of the event, videos posted on social media show hundreds of young people making the arduous, roughly 8-kilometer (5-mile) hike up a steep mountain to reach La Citadelle, while some opted to ride horses. —

ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026 Not that the itinerary is too arduous. —

Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 Which will be an arduous task given the Heat’s recent success against the Hornets. —

Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2026 The transplant journey is often long and arduous. —

Brittany Clayborne, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arduous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for arduous

Adjective

Combining all of this in one material has been difficult because thermal control and signal control rely on very different properties.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
Despite the removal of material, the architecture can result in a busy design and potentially make reading the time difficult.

— Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 3 May 2026