1
as in challenging
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
difficult questions on the exam that required analytical thinking
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tough
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
it's a difficult situation when two of your friends are quarreling and you're trying to stay out of it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of difficult
These conditions make travel difficult.
—
Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2025
Classic Cinnamon Rolls Cinnamon rolls can be difficult to get right, but baking them from frozen makes the process much easier.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025
Even with the benefit of polling data and insights from primaries and historical trends, predicting the winners of traditional political elections is difficult.
—Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 11 Oct. 2025
While critical local and Indigenous knowledge is recognized in the report, it is largely excluded from assessments, both because weaving it with conventional scientific analysis is difficult or because communities may choose to protect certain knowledge.
—Jessica Beaudette, The Conversation, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficult
Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2025
Classic Cinnamon Rolls Cinnamon rolls can be difficult to get right, but baking them from frozen makes the process much easier.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025
Even with the benefit of polling data and insights from primaries and historical trends, predicting the winners of traditional political elections is difficult.
—Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 11 Oct. 2025
While critical local and Indigenous knowledge is recognized in the report, it is largely excluded from assessments, both because weaving it with conventional scientific analysis is difficult or because communities may choose to protect certain knowledge.
—Jessica Beaudette, The Conversation, 11 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for difficult
Adjective
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The mother of five admitted that being away from her family for long periods of time was challenging, but the sacrifice was necessary for Jordan’s athletic development.—
Nasha Smith,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
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The second, more challenging phase — aimed at dismantling Hamas and deciding Gaza’s future leadership — has yet to be negotiated.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The end result of a tough negotiation that included a nearly two-week blackout of Disney channels on Charter in 2023 was a much closer working relationship between the two.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
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Just a week after giving birth, Menish took her six-hour Evidence exam from home in December 2023 — one of the toughest finals in the curriculum.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That’s the beauty of the league — every play matters and every play is hard to execute.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Oct. 2025
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And help may be harder to find because some insurers no longer pay brokers commissions for new business.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Avoid posting sensitive information like travel plans, birthdays or financial updates on social media.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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The Creature, who remains nameless throughout the novel, develops into a sensitive and inquisitive soul, yet one shunned by the world for his appearance.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Here’s how all four teams look heading into their Championship Series, along with some rigorous, confident analysis for each team.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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Whereas degree programs have to go through rigorous faculty and administrative oversight, which can take years, non-degree programs don’t require the same kind of oversight.—
Chris Quintana,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This lack of representation is problematic for people of different ancestries because genetic risk factors differ across populations.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
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As good as Oakley is, Trigg is on another tier and could prove problematic in the middle of the field.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Some of those ticketholders sued the Astros claiming fraud and demanding refunds.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
13 Oct. 2025
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This training camp, with a new strength and conditioning staff, the Sabres talked about how demanding practice was and how a long list of players reported to camp in great shape.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rip currents are formidable natural forces, but knowing how to react can significantly increase your chances of safely navigating these challenging waters.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Oct. 2025
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With the Eagles’ offensive line not as formidable as last season, Barkley was back to his feast or famine style.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Difficult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/difficult. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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