arduous

[ahr-joo-uhs, ahr-dyoo-]

adjective

1. requiring great exertion; laborious; difficult.

   an arduous undertaking.

   Synonyms: exhausting, burdensome, wearisome, onerous, toilsome, hard
   Antonyms: easy

2. requiring or using much energy and vigor; strenuous.

   making an arduous effort.

3. hard to climb; steep.

   an arduous path up the hill.

4. hard to endure; full of hardships; severe.

   an arduous winter.

arduous

/ ˈɑːdjʊəs /

adjective

1. requiring great physical or mental effort; difficult to accomplish; strenuous

2. hard to endure; harsh

   arduous conditions

3. hard to overcome or surmount; steep or difficult

   an arduous track

Other Word Forms

• arduously adverb
• arduousness noun
• superarduous adjective
• superarduously adverb
• superarduousness noun
• unarduous adjective
• unarduously adverb
• unarduousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of arduous¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin arduus “erect, laborious, steep”

Word History and Origins

Origin of arduous¹

C16: from Latin arduus steep, difficult

Example Sentences

Despite the arduous scheduling of recent games, Guardiola decided to name the same starting XI for a third consecutive game - only the third time he has done this during his nine years at the club.

From BBC

Bellamy just hopes it won't be as long and arduous as the one that took him and his team to Kazakhstan.

From BBC

The deflated British party began their arduous return journey to their base.

From BBC

These coaches are to be admired as they take on this arduous task with a lot less resources and financial compensation than many of their brethren at other CIF schools.

From Los Angeles Times

Daily returns peaked at about 50,000 people in early July, according to the United Nations – often after arduous journeys.

From BBC

Related Words

• backbreaking 
• burdensome 
• exhausting 
• formidable 
• grueling 
• laborious 
• onerous 
• painful 
• rigorous 
• strenuous 
• tiring www.thesaurus.com
• tough 
• troublesome 
• trying 
• uphill