103 entries under tough topic. ×

39
severe(adjective, bad, hard, sharp)
38
grievous(adjective, hard, severe, rough)
27
distressing(adjective, moving, severe, rough)
18
bitter(adjective, hard, moving, evil)
18
rugged(adjective, hard, difficult, harsh)
18
stubborn(adjective, hard, difficult, harsh)
15
unpleasant(adjective, hard, severe, sharp)
12
harsh(adjective, hard, severe, evil)
12
troublesome(adjective, hard, severe, upsetting)
11
irritating(adjective, hard, severe, sharp)
10
disagreeable(adjective, hard, rough, harsh)
8
annoying(adjective, hard, severe, sharp)
8
intolerable(adjective, severe, harsh, awful)
7
bothersome(adjective, hard, severe, offensive)
7
onerous(adjective, hard, severe, difficult)
6
galling(adjective, severe, rough, offensive)
5
grueling(adjective, hard, severe, difficult)
5
heavy(adjective, hard, severe, difficult)
4
demanding(hard, severe, difficult, harsh)
4
effortful(severe, difficult, problematic, trying)
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APASmart Define. (2015). painful thesaurus. Retrieved September 30, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/painful/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "painful thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/painful/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 30, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, painful thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 30 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/painful/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "painful thesaurus" 21 July 2015. Web. 30 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/painful/thesaurus/synonyms>