Arduous
easyNegative toneAR-joo-us
adjective
Definition
Requiring great effort; difficult and tiring
Memory hook
ARD-uous: Climbing a steep mountain is HARD -- arduous work makes you sweat.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“Climbing Mount Everest is an arduous task.”
“The arduous journey took three days on foot.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“Climbing Mount Everest is an ______ task.”
Show answer
arduous
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Arduous is a easy-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "strenuous" or "laborious" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "easy".
Related GRE Words
ponderous
slow and labored due to great weight or dullness; clumsy and heavy
torturous
Involving or causing torture or suffering; painful
elusive
Difficult to find, catch, or achieve
extricate
to free from a difficulty or entanglement
flounder
To struggle clumsily or helplessly; to be in serious difficulty
intractable
difficult to manage, control, or solve
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