difficult Play adjectiveNeeding much effort or skill to accomplish, deal with, or understand. SYNONYMS abstractabstrusearduousback-breakingbafflingbeyond oneburdensomecomplexcomplicatedconfusingdemandingenigmaticexhaustingexigentfatiguingfiddlygnarlygrindinggruellingheavyhellishimpenetrableintricateinvoluteinvolutedinvolvedkillingknackeringknottylaboriousmysteriousmystifyingno picnicobscureonerousover one's headpainfulperplexingproblematicpunishingpuzzlingreconditestickystrenuousthornyticklishtiringtoilsometoughunfathomablewearingwearisomewearyingwildering