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

Examples 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 Streets had been closed off, cops milled around, and sanitation workers stood by, ready to start the arduous cleanup process whenever the event was over. —

Caroline Tien, SELF, 24 Oct. 2024 However, designing proteins is an arduous, time-consuming, expensive trial-and-error task. —

Megan Carnegie, WIRED, 14 Oct. 2024 Just as Florida residents are beginning the arduous task of picking up the pieces after Hurricane Helene, the state’s west coast is bracing for yet another powerful storm. —

Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2024 This forces many to acquire new professional credentials with each move, a process particularly arduous for international relocations. —

Ikram Mansori, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for arduous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for arduous

Adjective

The melodic lines, particularly for brass, are very difficult to navigate.

Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
High frequencies are more difficult to block out than other tones, as high-end noise-cancelling headphones from Apple, Bose, and Sony perform similarly.

PCMAG, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024