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

The steady mindset got Dobbins through years of arduous rehab.

From Los Angeles Times

Their arduous climb back makes for some of the book’s most gripping reading.

From Los Angeles Times

Scotland's seeding is most likely not going to be what they would have wanted and the challenge ahead is going to be arduous, but optimism returned on Friday.

From BBC

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

Related Words

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