English Difficulty Related Adjectives

In this tip, you will learn some adjectives related to difficulties. In other words, you will learn some words so that you don't just stay in “difficult” ( difficult ) or “complicated” ( complicated ).

So if these two words are the only ones you know to refer to something difficult, it's time to improve your English vocabulary. And, of course, to get even more with your English in Ponta da Lingua.

Adjectives Related to Difficulties

Below are some adjectives related to difficulties in English. But, in order not to be too boring a list – just the adjective and its equivalents in Portuguese – I will also include some collocations and examples. So let's improve our English vocabulary.

ABSTRACT

In Portuguese, we have the word “abstruse”; but, I believe that almost no one knows her. So, know that abstruse is used with the meaning of “ incomprehensible ”, “ crooked ”, “ complicated ”, “ hard to understand ”, “ confused ”, “ obscure ”.

This word is often used with "theory", "argument", "philosophy", "philosopher".

I studied philosophy for a while but found it too abstruse. ( I studied philosophy for a while but found it too complicated. )

The theory is so abstruse. I just can't get it. ( Her theory is so confusing. I just can't understand it. )

Maths is a mix of abstruse theory and detailed calculations. ( Mathematics is a mixture of obscure theory and detailed calculations. )

ARDUOUS

English Difficulty Related AdjectivesWe can speak of “arduous task”, “arduous work”, which are “arduous task” and “hard work”, respectively. It also has an “arduous journey” and “arduous voyage” which are equivalent to “difficult journey” or “tiring journey”. Anyway, any activity that is difficult, tiring, and requires a lot of effort, we can define as “arduous”.

In Portuguese, as you have seen, it can be translated as “ arduous ”, “ arduous ”.

CONVOLUTED

When we say that an explanation is “convoluted”, we are saying that it is a long, complicated, overly convoluted, and, of course, difficult to understand explanation. "Convoluted" often matches "explanation", "sentences", "theory", "argument". You may also be interested to learn about English irregular verbs

He writes long paragraphs and convoluted sentences. ( He writes long paragraphs and very complicated sentences. )

The loan approval process is very convoluted. ( The loan approval process is very complex. )

The convoluted language in the trial has confusion. ( The garish language at the trial has caused confusion. )

GREETING

This adjective is used more to talk about activities that are tiring and difficult. We can translate as " strenuous ", " stressful ", " tiring ", " grueling ", " painful ", " experience ", " grueling ."

grueling journey ( grueling journey, tiring journey )

grueling work ( hard work, hard work )

grueling match ( difficult match starting painful )

grueling expedition ( strenuous expedition, grueling expedition )

UNSUFFERABLE

Anything that is difficult to bear and at the same time is irritating and uncomfortable can be defined as insufferable. In Portuguese, “ unbearable ”. A clear example of something insufferable is a high heat that many people can't stand and therefore feel uncomfortable. So we say, “ the heat was insufferable ”, that is, “ the heat was insufferable ”.

His insufferable behavior was the reason for us losing our temple. ( His unbearable behavior was the reason we lost our temper. )

I don't know what to do to avoid the insufferable boredom ( I don't know what to do to avoid this unbearable boredom. )

I need something to end this insufferable pain. ( I need something to end this unbearable pain )

OBSTRUCTIVE

Anything or person that causes difficulties for something to happen is defined as “obstructive”. In Portuguese, we say, “ obstructive ”, “ restrictive ”.

It's an obstructive measure I can't accept. ( It is a restrictive measure that I cannot accept. )

The socialists were litigation of being obstructive and delaying the decision-making process. ( Socialists were accused of being obstructive and delaying the decision-making process. )

STIFF

A team ( team ) hard to be defeated is a stiff team. The same goes for a political opponent or a strong competitor for a job opening. Anyway, whenever you want to say that someone is strong in the sense of being difficult to defeat, use the word stiff.

Furthermore, stiff is also used in the sense of “ rigid ”, “ strict ”, “ painful ”. This is when I was referring to laws, sanctions, penalties, or requirements that must be fulfilled.

The champion faced a stiff competitor in the final. ( The champion faced a strong competitor in the final. )

Graduates face stiff competition in getting jobs. ( New graduates face fierce competition for jobs. )

Under the country's stiff anti-corruption laws they could face twenty years in jail. ( Under the country's strict anti-corruption laws, they face up to 20 years in jail. )

Newcomers, however, are now likely to have to meet stiff demands. ( Newcomers, however, will now likely have to meet strict requirements. )

TOUGH

Tough refers to something that is difficult to do or to deal with. We can translate it simply as “difficult”; but also “hard”, “hard”, “pulled”, “hard”.

That's really a tough job. ( This is without a doubt a very demanding service. )

They've had an exceptionally tough life. ( She had an extremely hard life. )

We've had to make some very tough decisions. ( We had to make some very difficult decisions. )

My boss has given me a tough assignment. ( My boss gave me an arduous task. )

Ready! Here are some adjectives related to difficulties in English. Now just use them when you have the opportunity. Pay attention to the contexts and collocations with which they are used. As I always say, have a good dictionary to learn more about them.