difficult
adjective
dif·fi·cult
ˈdi-fi-(ˌ)kəlt 
1
: hard to do, make, or carry out : arduous
a difficult climb
2
a
: hard to deal with, manage, or overcome
a difficult child
having a difficult time coping with her death
b
: hard to understand : puzzling
difficult reading
found calculus too difficult
difficultly
adverb
Examples of difficult in a Sentence
We were asked lots of difficult questions.
I had to make a very difficult decision.
We'll be hiking over difficult terrain.
It's more difficult than it sounds.
I found myself in a difficult position.
Some difficult days lie ahead of us.
These changes will make life difficult for everyone involved.
Recent Examples on the Web
No matter how sweet, the little crocodile grows bigger and more difficult to care for.
—
Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 June 2025
Despite her risky gambit, Metcalfe, who is studying to be an attorney at the University of Law in Manchester, England, admits that her sport has helped her through some of the most difficult times of her life.
—Andy Frye, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Protein powder can be difficult to digest Protein powder contains especially high concentrations of protein.
—Misaki Kawatsu, Vogue, 10 June 2025
The atmosphere would have been difficult for any Israeli physician, but for Qasem Hassan the challenge was compounded by her background and identity.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficult
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Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 June 2025
Despite her risky gambit, Metcalfe, who is studying to be an attorney at the University of Law in Manchester, England, admits that her sport has helped her through some of the most difficult times of her life.
—Andy Frye, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Protein powder can be difficult to digest Protein powder contains especially high concentrations of protein.
—Misaki Kawatsu, Vogue, 10 June 2025
The atmosphere would have been difficult for any Israeli physician, but for Qasem Hassan the challenge was compounded by her background and identity.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for difficult
Cite this Entry
“Difficult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/difficult. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
difficult
adjective
dif·fi·cult
ˈdif-i-(ˌ)kəlt
1
: hard to do, make, or carry out
a difficult climb
2
a
: hard to deal with, manage, or overcome
a difficult child
b
: hard to understand : puzzling
difficult reading
difficultly
adverb
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