77 entries under tough topic. ×

31
grievous(adjective, mean, severe, rough)
24
painful(adjective, moving, severe, rough)
22
severe(adjective, difficult, harsh, tender)
11
bitter(adjective, hard, moving, rough)
8
heavy(adjective, severe, rough, difficult)
8
unpleasant(adjective, severe, harsh, tender)
6
harsh(adjective, hard, severe, rough)
5
bleak(adjective, severe, obscure, harsh)
5
serious(adjective, severe, rough, difficult)
4
disagreeable(adjective, hard, severe, rough)
4
intolerable(adjective, severe, harsh, awful)
3
nasty(adjective, offensive, unpleasant, terrible)
3
rough(adjective, hard, difficult, heavy)
2
demanding(adjective, severe, rough, difficult)
2
exhausting(adjective, severe, rough, difficult)
2
formidable(adjective, bad, severe, rough)
2
grim(adjective, bad, severe, sad)
2
merciless(adjective, severe, rough, difficult)
2
perverse(adjective, severe, harsh, wicked)
2
resentful(adjective, hurt, severe, harsh)
11 years ago|22k views|share |citing 
APASmart Define. (2015). distressing thesaurus. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "distressing thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 26, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, distressing thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 26 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "distressing thesaurus" 3 August 2015. Web. 26 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms>