31
hard(adjective, difficult, complex)
30
arduous(adjective, hard, difficult, complex)
29
laborious(adjective, hard, difficult, complex)
28
backbreaking(adjective, hard, difficult, complex, strenuous)
27
severe(adjective, hard, difficult, harsh, complex)
25
burdensome(adjective, hard, difficult, complex)
25
cruel(adjective, hard, difficult, harsh, complex)
24
toilsome(adjective, hard, difficult, complex)
23
operose(adjective, hard, difficult, complex)
23
painful(adjective, hard, difficult, complex)
23
trying(verb, adjective, hard, difficult, complex)
22
penal(adjective, hard, difficult, complex, punishment)
22
taxing(adjective, hard, difficult, complex)
22
tough(adjective, hard, difficult, complex)
21
difficult(adjective, hard, complex)
21
oppressive(adjective, hard, difficult, complex)
20
leaden(adjective, hard, difficult, complex)
20
tight(adjective, hard, difficult, complex, troublesome)
19
grave(adjective, hard, difficult, complex)
19
grievous(adjective, hard, difficult, complex)
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APASmart Define. (2015). punishing thesaurus. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/punishing/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "punishing thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/punishing/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, punishing thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/punishing/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "punishing thesaurus" 10 April 2015. Web. 20 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/punishing/thesaurus/synonyms>