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difficult

difficult

∞ 1.6
Not easy to do or understand
  • adjective
  • /ˈdɪfɪkəlt/
: difícil
  • And that is a very difficult line to walk.
  • more difficult
  • very difficult
  • too difficult

And it gets more difficult with each book.

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Examples

  • As you may have heard, it's been a difficult day.

  • This must be an extremely difficult time.

  • Now it's actually a bit difficult to talk about.

  • And it gets more difficult with each book.

  • Once that happens, it can be very difficult to get the child out.

  • I think they are both very difficult skills to be great at.

  • It's gonna be very difficult to get a jury to believe otherwise.

  • People locked into a particular system find it difficult to switch to any other system.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Perfect aim can be difficult to achieve under stressful circumstances.

  • Completing the project on time was difficult due to unexpected obstacles.

Synonyms

hard
vsdifficult
∞ 1.1

Needing a lot of effort and often strict or severe

is similar but is more neutral without harsh attitude
tough
vsdifficult
∞ 2.6

Hard to do or understand and needing a lot of effort

focuses on effort or skill rather than physical strength
complicated
vsdifficult
∞ 5.4

Difficult to understand or deal with because it has many connected parts

focuses on effort or skill needed rather than structural complexity
complex
vsdifficult
668 5.6

Not simple because it has many connected parts

emphasizes required effort or skill instead of internal connected parts
tricky
vsdifficult
283 3.9

Difficult to do because it has hidden problems

denotes a general need for effort without stressing hidden complications
challenging
vsdifficult
274 4.4

Hard to do and needing a lot of effort

means general need for effort but focuses less on testing ability
heavy
vsdifficult
200 2.1

Hard to do or understand

is similar but centers on not being easy rather than intensity
problematic
vsdifficult
137 5.6

Hard to deal with and often not clear

focuses on need for effort rather than creating problems or doubt
demanding
vsdifficult
104 4.1

Needing a lot of time, effort, or attention

stresses time and attention demands rather than general need for effort
daunting
vsdifficult
78 6.2

So hard to do that you feel too worried to try

is about needing effort or skill, not the intimidating appearance
troublesome
vsdifficult
45 3.9

Causing worry or annoyance and hard to deal with

is about needing effort or skill rather than emotional annoyance
trying
vsdifficult
34 5.1

Hard to deal with and making people feel tired or annoyed

emphasizes distress or annoyance rather than plain effort need
strenuous
vsdifficult
32 4.9

Needing a lot of effort or energy

refers more to effort or skill without extreme intensity
arduous
vsdifficult
29 7.7

Very difficult to do and needing a lot of effort over a long time

is about needing effort but not necessarily with long duration
onerous
vsdifficult
  • Formal
23 8.1

Causes a lot of work or trouble

is broader, covering any not-easy action, not only burdensome duties
burdensome
vsdifficult
18 7.1

Causing a lot of extra work or worry

is neutral about effort need, not only about causing worry or hardship
elusive
vsdifficult
13 7.0

Hard to understand or describe, like the meaning of a symbol

points to effort or skill needed rather than vagueness or slipperiness
hard to follow
vsdifficult
12 6.4

Difficult to understand

applies more broadly to tasks, actions, or abilities, not only comprehension
laborious
vsdifficult
9 6.8

A task or process that needs a lot of time and hard work

means needing effort generally, not only long repetitive work
tough going
vsdifficult
  • Informal
7 5.3

A situation or task that is hard to do

applies more broadly to tasks or acts, not only situations
problematical
vsdifficult
4 8.1

Hard to understand or deal with

highlights required effort or skill rather than causing complications
knotty
vsdifficult
1 8.1

Difficult to solve or understand, often about problems

refers more broadly to needing effort or skill, not only puzzles
effortful
vsdifficult
1 6.9

Needing a lot of physical or mental work

refers more broadly to being not easy than to exertion
quite tricky
vsdifficult
1 5.1

Fairly difficult and needing some skill or care to do

is stronger, implying greater effort than a fairly complex case
overburdensome
vsdifficult
  • Specialized
1 7.8

Too difficult or expensive for someone to manage easily

refers more generally to being not easy without implying excess

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

Not hard to do, understand, or achieve

∞ 1.0

Easy to understand or do

Compounds

169 3.1

A period when someone faces problems or a lot of stress

How Difficult

arduous
29 7.7
challenging
274 4.4
difficult
∞ 1.6
manageable
55 3.2

Surface Forms

difficult positive
difficulter comparative
difficultest superlative

Etymology

Difficult comes from Latin parts dis- meaning 'not' and facere meaning 'to do' or 'make', so it originally meant 'not easy to do'. That's why difficult describes something that needs much effort or skill.