Synonyms for arduous
- adjective
Most common
difficult exhausting strenuous laborious steep precipitous strugglesome
Definitions
- adj. 1
Needing or using up much energy; testing powers of endurance.
The movement towards a peaceful settlement has been a long and arduous political struggle.
Related words
- Word family
- arduousness arduity
Choose the right word
arduus, steep) signifies primarily so steep and lofty as to be difficult of ascent, and hence applies to that which involves great and sustained exertion and ordinarily for a lofty aim; great learning can only be won by arduous toil.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- difficult Explain to him the difficult situation you are in.
- exhausting The run up the river can be exhausting for salmon.
- strenuous She is a strenuous supporter of women's rights.
- steep The eastern shore of the lake is steep and pebbly.
- precipitous Your actions may be overly precipitous.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| arduous | steady | |
| difficult | steady | |
| exhausting | rising | |
| strenuous | steady | |
| laborious | falling | |
| steep | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- hard1
- 5 letters
- heavy2, tough1, rough1, steep1
- 6 letters
- uphill2
- 7 letters
- painful2, onerous3
- 8 letters
- exacting3, grueling3
- 9 letters
- difficult3, demanding3, murderous3, strenuous3, laborious4, gruelling, herculean4, fatiguing3, wearisome3, effortful
- 10 letters
- exhausting3, burdensome3
- 11 letters
- troublesome3, precipitous4
- 12 letters
- strugglesome
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (heavy2 = 2 syllables).