Advanced General IELTS Words for "Challenges"

grueling

Adjective

g

r

ue

uɪ

l

i

ɪ

n

g

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Disapproving

extremely tiring and demanding strenuous effort and perseverance

arduous draining exhausting taxing

Example

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The marathon runners faced a grueling challenge as they pushed themselves to complete the race.

The hikers embarked on a grueling trek through the mountains, enduring steep climbs and harsh weather.

daunting

Adjective

d

au

ɔ

n

t

i

ɪ

n

g

Disapproving

intimidating, challenging, or overwhelming in a way that creates a sense of fear or unease

arduous draining exhausting taxing

Sisyphean

Adjective

/sˈɪsɪfˌiən/

Disapproving

Formal

relating to a task that is endless, futile, and laborious

arduous draining exhausting taxing

Herculean

Adjective

/hɝkˈjuɫiən/

Formal

requiring great strength, effort, or courage

arduous draining exhausting taxing

draining

Adjective

d

r

ai

eɪ

n

i

ɪ

n

g

Disapproving

causing a significant loss of physical, emotional, or mental energy

arduous draining exhausting taxing

thorny

Adjective

th

θ

o

ɔ

r

n

y

i

Disapproving

causing problem or difficulty

arduous draining exhausting taxing

painstaking

Adjective

p

ai

eɪ

n

s

t

a

eɪ

k

i

ɪ

n

g

requiring a lot of effort and time

arduous draining exhausting taxing

onerous

Adjective

o

oʊ

n

e

ɜ

r

ou

ə

s

Disapproving

Formal

difficult and needing a lot of energy and effort

arduous draining exhausting taxing

exacting

Adjective

e

ɪ

x

gz

a

æ

c

k

t

i

ɪ

n

g

Formal

requiring a great amount of effort, skill, or care

arduous draining exhausting taxing

hard-won

Adjective

/hˈɑːɹdwˈʌn/

Approving

achieving something after facing a lot of challenges and putting in a great deal of effort

arduous draining exhausting taxing

wearisome

Adjective

w

ea

ɪ

r

i

s

o

ə

m

e

Disapproving

causing fatigue or irritation due to being repetitive or tiresome

arduous draining exhausting taxing

uphill

Adjective

u

ə

ph

i

ɪ

ll

l

Disapproving

Informal

challenging situation that requires considerable effort

arduous draining exhausting taxing

to grin and bear something

phrase

/ɡɹˈɪn ænd bˈɛɹ ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ/

Idiom

Informal

to accept or tolerate a difficult or undesirable situation that one cannot change without complaint

arduous draining exhausting taxing

What is the origin of the idiom "grin and bear something" and when to use it?

The phrase "grin and bear something" is used to imply that one should face adversity with a positive attitude and patience, even if it's uncomfortable or challenging. The origin of this phrase is uncertain, but it likely developed over time as a way to convey the idea of remaining cheerful in the face of adversity.

to surmount

Verb

s

u

ɜ

r

m

o

a

u

ʊ

n

t

Approving

Formal

to successfully overcome challenges or difficulties

arduous draining exhausting taxing

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to brave

Verb

b

r

a

eɪ

v

e

Approving

to endure a difficult or dangerous situation with courage and determination

arduous draining exhausting taxing

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to outsmart

Verb

o

a

u

ʊ

t

s

m

a

ɑ

r

t

Approving

Informal

to use skill and cunning to gain an advantage over someone, defeating or surpassing them through intelligence

arduous draining exhausting taxing

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to strive

Verb

s

t

r

i

aɪ

v

e

to make great efforts or struggle in opposition, often in contention or dispute

arduous draining exhausting taxing

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to contend

Verb

c

k

o

ə

n

t

e

ɛ

n

d

to engage in a struggle, conflict, or battle

arduous draining exhausting taxing

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

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