85 entries under tough topic. ×

20
difficult(adjective, rough, harsh, delicate)
15
sticky(adjective, difficult, delicate, informal)
13
unpleasant(adjective, difficult, rude, contrary)
11
ticklish(adjective, difficult, delicate, tricky)
9
thorny(adjective, difficulty, difficult, delicate)
7
tricky(adjective, difficult, delicate, unpleasant)
7
trying(adjective, difficulty, harsh, delicate)
4
contrary(adjective, difficult, unpleasant, wild)
4
knotty(adjective, difficulty, difficult, delicate)
4
perverse(difficulty, difficult, harsh, unpleasant)
4
problematic(adjective, difficult, delicate, unpleasant)
4
stubborn(adjective, change, position, attitude, determination)
3
irksome(adjective, difficult, pain, demanding)
3
perplexing(adjective, difficult, delicate, complicated)
3
upsetting(adjective, uneasy, tricky, problematic)
2
blunt(adjective, harsh, thoughtless, grumpy)
2
cantankerous(adjective, rough, difficult, rude)
2
churlish(adjective, rough, harsh, rude)
2
hard(adjective, rough, difficult, delicate)
2
harsh(sharp, rough, careless, thoughtless)
10 years ago|42k views|share |citing 
APASmart Define. (2016). awkward thesaurus. Retrieved September 27, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/awkward/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2016. "awkward thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/awkward/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 27, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2016, awkward thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 27 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/awkward/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "awkward thesaurus" 29 March 2016. Web. 27 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/awkward/thesaurus/synonyms>