The term “difficult” generally means hard to do, manage, or deal with. It can describe a wide range of situations or objects that require significant effort, patience, or skill to handle successfully. The word can also be used to describe a person who is hard to please.
Another word for difficult is hard or troublesome. However, more synonyms will be stated in the following article.
On our overview page for synonyms, you can find the best options of synonyms for a vast variety of words that are used in academic writing.
“Difficult” – General synonyms
The word “difficult” can be used in a variety of ways and has lots of different meanings. In the following subheadings these will be presented in a detailed list.
“Difficult” in the sense of hard
Synonyms of the word difficult in the sense of hard will be listed below.
- Abstract
- Abstruse
- Arduous
- Baffling
- Bewildering
- Burdensome
- Challenging
- Complex
- Confounding
- Confusing
- Deep
- Delicate
- Demanding
- Enigmatic
- Exacting
- Formidable
- Hard
- Inexplicable
- Intricate
- Laborious
- Like getting blood out of a stone
- No picnic
- Obscure
- Onerous
- Painful
- Problematic
- Profound
- Puzzling
- Strenuous
- Taxing
- Toilsome
- Tough
- Troublesome
- Uphill
- Vexing
- Wearisome
“Difficult” in the sense of problematical
Synonyms of the word difficult in the sense of problematical will be listed below.
- Abstract
- Abstruse
- Baffling
- Complex
- Complicated
- Delicate
- Enigmatical
- Intricate
- Involved
- Knotty
- Obscure
- Perplexing
- Problematical
- Thorny
- Ticklish
“Difficult” in the sense of troublesome
Synonyms of the word difficult in the sense of troublesome will be listed below.
- Argumentative
- Awkward
- Bearish
- Boorish
- Bull-headed
- Demanding
- Fastidious
- Fractious
- Fussy
- Grim
- Hard to please
- Intractable
- Intransigent
- Obstinate
- Obstreperous
- Perverse
- Pig-headed
- Refractory
- Rigid
- Stubborn
- Tiresome
- Troublesome
- Trying
- Unaccommodating
- Unamenable
- Unbending
- Uncooperative
- Unmanageable
- Unyielding
“Difficult” in the sense of tough
Synonyms of the word difficult in the sense of tough will be listed below.
- Dark
- Full of hardship
- Grim
- Hard
- Straitened
- Tough
- Trying
“Difficult” – Synonyms used in academic writing
In academic writing, “difficult” can be used to describe a variety of concepts or phenomena that are hard to understand or manage. It is important to use “difficult” appropriately and in context to ensure clarity and precision in academic writing.
Synonyms for difficult that can be used for an academic piece of writing include challenging, complex, or demanding.
Are you looking for suitable synonyms for “difficult” for your academic paper? Have a look at the table below with the top suggestions from our BachelorPrint-Team.
| “Difficult” Synonyms | Examples |
| Arduous | The research project involved difficult data collection and analysis processes. |
| The research project involved arduous data collection and analysis processes. | |
| Challenging | The calculus course was especially difficult for students with weaker math skills. |
| The calculus course was especially challenging for students with weaker math skills. | |
| Complex | Difficult social issues are under scrutiny due to their… |
| Complex social issues are under scrutiny due to their… | |
| Demanding | A difficult program requires long hours of practice and specialized skills. |
| A demanding program requires long hours of practice and specialized skills. | |
| Perplexing | The puzzle presented a difficult challenge that required careful attention to detail. |
| The puzzle presented a perplexing challenge that required careful attention to detail. |
