7
terrible(adjective, difficult, tender, awkward, raw)
6
abrupt(adjective, sharp, course, quick, rash)
6
awful(adjective, painful, sickness, ache, anguishes)
6
burning(adjective, painful, sickness, ache, anguishes)
6
caustic(adjective, painful, sickness, ache, anguishes)
6
distressing(adjective, difficult, harsh, tender, cruel)
6
dreadful(adjective, painful, sickness, ache, anguishes)
6
extreme(adjective, painful, sickness, ache, anguishes)
6
grave
6
harsh(adjective, difficult)
6
hurting(adjective, painful, sickness, ache, anguishes)
6
inflamed(adjective, painful, sickness, ache, anguishes)
6
raw(adjective, painful, sickness, ache, anguishes)
6
sharp(adjective, harsh, tender, cruel, course)
6
ticklish(adjective, difficult)
6
time-consuming(hard, tough, difficult, slow, heavy)
5
Herculean(adjective, tough, severe, difficult, awkward)
5
back-breaking
5
crushing(adjective, painful)
5
high(adjective, sharp, course, quick, rash)
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APASmart Define. (2016). arduous thesaurus. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/arduous/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2016. "arduous thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/arduous/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 22, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2016, arduous thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/arduous/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "arduous thesaurus" 26 February 2016. Web. 22 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/arduous/thesaurus/synonyms>