The word difficult is very common in English. We use it to describe something that is hard to do, understand, or manage. But if you only use difficult all the time, your English may sound boring and repetitive. Luckily, there are many other words, phrases, and idioms that mean difficult. Some are formal (used in writing and professional contexts), while others are informal or slang (used in daily conversation).
In this article, you will learn useful synonyms for difficult with simple meanings and easy examples to make your English richer and more expressive.
Common Synonyms for Difficult
Here are some simple words you can use instead of difficult:
- Hard → This exam is too hard.
- Tough → It was a tough decision to make.
- Complicated → The machine is complicated to use.
- Complex → The problem is more complex than it looks.
- Challenging → Learning English can be challenging.
- Tricky → The puzzle was tricky to solve.
- Demanding → Being a doctor is a demanding job.
- Confusing → The map was confusing to follow.
- Exhausting → Climbing the mountain was exhausting.
- Arduous → It was an arduous journey through the forest.
Formal Synonyms for Difficult
These words are often used in academic, business, or professional writing:
- Complicated → The legal process is complicated.
- Complex → His argument was complex and detailed.
- Arduous → It was an arduous task to complete.
- Demanding → The job is highly demanding.
- Laborious → Writing the report was a laborious process.
- Challenging → The project is challenging but rewarding.
- Strenuous → The training program was strenuous.
- Exhaustive → He gave an exhaustive explanation of the topic.
Informal Synonyms for Difficult
Used in daily conversations or casual situations:
- Hard → That test was really hard.
- Tough → The coach gave us a tough workout.
- Tricky → This math problem is tricky.
- Complicated → It’s a complicated story, let me explain.
- Confusing → The instructions are confusing.
- Heavy → This is a heavy topic to talk about.
- Not easy → Cooking for 20 people is not easy.
Slang and Idioms for Difficult
Native speakers often use slang or idiomatic expressions to say difficult:
- A pain in the neck → This homework is a pain in the neck.
- A tough nut to crack → The case was a tough nut to crack.
- An uphill battle → Starting a new business can feel like an uphill battle.
- A tall order → Meeting the deadline is a tall order.
- No picnic → Raising children is no picnic.
- Backbreaker → Carrying all those boxes was a backbreaker.
- Mind-boggling → The new technology is mind-boggling.
- Killer → That workout was a killer!
Alternative Phrases Instead of Difficult
Sometimes we don’t use a single word but phrases:
- Hard to do → This task is hard to do.
- Not simple → The rules are not simple to follow.
- Full of problems → The plan is full of problems.
- Requires effort → Learning a new skill requires effort.
- Takes a lot of work → Passing the exam takes a lot of work.
- Not a walk in the park → This job is not a walk in the park.
Table of Synonyms for Difficult
| Word/Phrase | Type | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Hard | Common/Informal | The test was really hard. |
| Tough | Informal | Life can be tough sometimes. |
| Complicated | Formal/Common | The instructions are complicated. |
| Complex | Formal | The problem is complex. |
| Challenging | Formal/Common | This project is challenging. |
| Tricky | Informal | That puzzle was tricky. |
| Demanding | Formal | The job is demanding. |
| Arduous | Formal | Hiking was an arduous task. |
| A tough nut to crack | Idiom | The case was a tough nut to crack. |
| An uphill battle | Idiom | Starting a business is an uphill battle. |
Synonyms for Difficult
FAQs
Q: What is another word for difficult?
Other words for difficult include hard, tough, complicated, challenging, arduous, and demanding.
Q: What is a formal synonym for difficult?
Formal synonyms include complicated, complex, laborious, arduous, and demanding.
Q: What is an informal way to say difficult?
You can say hard, tough, tricky, or confusing.
Q: What is a slang word for difficult?
Slang or idiomatic words include a pain in the neck, uphill battle, tall order, and no picnic.
Q: What is a word for very difficult?
You can use challenging, arduous, strenuous, demanding, or idioms like a tough nut to crack.
The word difficult has many synonyms that can make your English more colorful and expressive. In formal situations, you can use words like complicated, arduous, laborious, or demanding. In informal conversation, you can say hard, tough, tricky, or even slang expressions like a pain in the neck or no picnic. By learning and practicing these alternatives, you’ll be able to describe situations more clearly and sound more natural in both speaking and writing.
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