4
grueling(adjective, hard, tough, difficult, awkward)
4
painful(adjective, tough, severe, difficult, problematic)
4
rigorous(adjective, tough, rough, difficult, harsh)
4
rough(adjective, great, tough, difficult, heavy)
4
strained(adjective, true, burdensome)
4
taxing(adjective, heavy, burdensome)
4
trying(verb, adjective, hard, tough, severe)
3
gruelling
3
laboured
3
operose(adjective, tough, severe, difficult, awkward)
3
punishing
3
wearisome(adjective, tough, severe, difficult, awkward)
2
challenging(verb, adjective, great, tough, severe)
2
exhausting(adjective, hard, severe, rough, difficult)
2
herculean(adjective, tough, severe, difficult, awkward)
2
stiff(tough, severe, difficult, painful, problematic)
2
testing(noun, adjective, tough, difficult, awkward)
2
tiring(adjective, tough, rough, difficult, heavy)
2
titanic(tough, severe, painful, problematic, trying)
2
troublesome(adjective, tough, severe, difficult, awkward)
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APASmart Define. (2015). effortful thesaurus. Retrieved September 23, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/effortful/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "effortful thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/effortful/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 23, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, effortful thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 23 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/effortful/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "effortful thesaurus" 10 April 2015. Web. 23 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/effortful/thesaurus/synonyms>