arduous

[ ahr-joo-uhsor, especially British, 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

Derived Forms

• ˈarduously, adverb
• ˈarduousness, noun

Other Words From

• ardu·ous·ly adverb
• ardu·ous·ness noun
• super·ardu·ous adjective
• super·ardu·ous·ly adverb
• super·ardu·ous·ness noun
• un·ardu·ous adjective
• un·ardu·ous·ly adverb
• un·ardu·ous·ness 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

Lisa Materna and her husband moved from one Arizona city to another in July — specifically, from a third story apartment in Goodyear to a single story home in Glendale — and did not expect an arduous move because it had not yet hit peak temperatures in the Phoenix metropolitan area’s West Valley.

From Salon

At the tail end of an arduous, hotly contested presidential election campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris managed to have the last laugh.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile in flood-affected areas, hundreds are sheltering in temporary accommodation and beginning the slow, arduous task of clearing streets and recovering homes and businesses.

From BBC

Susie Labinjoh, Ms Adoo-Kissi-Debrah lawyer, said it had been a "long and arduous battle" for Ms Adoo-Kissi-Debrah.

From BBC

Despite health officials’ arduous efforts to track human infections, surveillance is marred by delays, inconsistencies, and blind spots.

From Salon

Related Words

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