crossword clue difficult – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're tackling the clue "difficult" in your crossword puzzle, you've come to the right place. We've compiled a comprehensive list of possible answers, sorted by word length, along with clear explanations to help you complete your grid. Dive in to find your solution!
Solutions for "crossword clue difficult" by Letter Count
4 Letters
HARD: Requiring great physical or mental effort; not easy.
5 Letters
TOUGH: Difficult and demanding; strong and resilient.
STEEP: Of a price or demand, unreasonably high; often implies difficulty to afford or meet.
6 Letters
TRICKY: Requiring careful handling; difficult to deal with.
KNOTTY: Full of knots; extremely difficult or intricate, like a challenging problem.
TAXING: Demanding a great deal of effort, energy, or resources.
7 Letters
ARDUOUS: Involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.
COMPLEX: Consisting of many different and connected parts; not easy to understand or analyze.
More About "crossword clue difficult"
The clue "difficult" is a staple in crosswords, often leading to a wide range of synonyms depending on the specific nuance the setter intends. It can refer to physical challenges, intellectual puzzles, or even social situations. When you encounter this clue, consider the context of the puzzle itself. Is it a cryptic crossword, a quick crossword, or a themed one?
Common answers like HARD, TOUGH, and TRICKY are frequent, but setters love to throw in less obvious alternatives like KNOTTY (implying complexity, like a knot that's hard to untangle) or ARDUOUS (suggesting strenuous effort over time). Pay attention to any other words in the clue that might hint at a specific type of difficulty, such as "a difficult task" versus "a difficult person."
Understanding the various shades of meaning for "difficult" can significantly speed up your puzzle-solving process. Our list above covers the most common and some of the more nuanced solutions you'll likely encounter.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Check Crossers: Always use letters from already solved clues that intersect with your "difficult" answer. This is the most effective way to narrow down possibilities.
- Consider Part of Speech: Is "difficult" being used as an adjective, or is it part of a phrase? This can influence the type of word you're looking for (e.g., a noun like "dilemma" could be implied by a cryptic clue for 'difficult situation').
- Think Synonyms Broadly: Don't just stick to the most obvious synonyms. Expand your vocabulary to include words that describe something hard to do, hard to understand, or hard to endure.
- Look for Cryptic Indicators: If it's a cryptic clue, words like "struggle," "problem," "challenge," or "puzzle" might signal a deeper wordplay element for "difficult."
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a crossword clue 'difficult'?
A clue can be difficult due to cryptic phrasing, obscure vocabulary, wordplay (puns, anagrams, hidden words), or simply requiring specific niche knowledge that isn't widely known. Context and double meanings are also common pitfalls.
How do I approach a 'difficult' crossword clue?
Start by identifying the part of speech and potential synonyms. Consider the word length, check crossing letters from solved clues, and look for indicators of wordplay like 'perhaps', 'might be', 'mixed up', or 'broken'. Sometimes, stepping away and returning with fresh eyes helps.
Are there common patterns for 'difficult' clues?
Often, 'difficult' clues might directly hint at synonyms such as HARD, TOUGH, KNOTTY, ARDUOUS, or COMPLEX. They can also refer to challenging situations, tasks, or problems. Be aware of homophones or words that sound similar but have different meanings when spoken aloud.