22
demanding(adjective, dull, tough, easy, severe)
22
stale(adjective, difficult, complex, dry, bare)
21
austere(adjective, strong, tough, severe, rough)
21
ambitious(adjective, ability, difficult, complex, effort)
21
burly(adjective, difficult, complex)
21
grim(adjective, person, mean, strong, tough)
21
problematic(adjective, difficult, delicate, complex, tricky)
21
stony(adjective, mean, cool, tough, severe)
21
weighty(adjective, difficult, heavy, complex)
20
disturbing(adjective, mean, severe, difficult, harsh)
20
labyrinthine(adjective, difficult, complex, involved, tricky)
20
leaden(adjective, difficult, complex)
20
merciless(adjective, mean, tough, severe, evil)
20
ponderous(adjective, difficult, complex)
20
strict(adjective, strong, tough, easy, severe)
20
troubled(adjective, rough, difficult, complex, painful)
19
flinty(adjective, strong, tough, severe, evil)
19
Gordian(adjective, difficult, complex, intricate, thorny)
19
byzantine(adjective, difficult, complex, involved, complicated)
19
elaborate(adjective, difficult, complex, grand, involved)
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APASmart Define. (2016). hard thesaurus. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/hard/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2016. "hard thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/hard/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 21, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2016, hard thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/hard/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "hard thesaurus" 24 March 2016. Web. 21 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/hard/thesaurus/synonyms>