Synonyms of uphill

uphill 1 of 2

adjective

ˈəp-ˌhil 

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort

an uphill battle to eradicate poverty in an area of the state that has never known anything else

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difficult
• challenging
• tough
• hard
• rigorous
• demanding
• formidable
• heavy
• strenuous
• complicated
• arduous
• rough
• rugged
• sweaty
• effortful
• tall
• exhausting
• grueling
• severe
• laborious
• painful
• backbreaking
• testing
• toilsome
• murderous
• herculean
• stiff
• killer
• complex
• intricate
• serious
• exacting
• hellacious
• pick-and-shovel
• problematic
• tricky
• annoying
• moiling
• stubborn
• elusive
• brutal
• bruising
• hairy
• involved
• stressful
• thorny
• oppressive
• grim
• Augean
• troublesome
• labored
• trying
• insoluble
• burdensome
• tight
• onerous
• abstract
• knotty
• abstruse
• ticklish
• spiny
• taxing
• irksome
• opaque
• bothersome
• recondite
• vexatious
• strict
• distressing
• cruel
• stringent
• grievous
• inhuman

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• light
• simple
• soft
• effortless
• cheap
• elementary
• clear
• manageable
• undemanding
• facile
• doable
• achievable
• mindless
• uncomplicated
• smooth
• gentle
• painless
• soothing
• comforting
• relaxed
• accessible
• friendly
• user-friendly
• idiotproof

uphill

2 of 2

noun

ˈəp-ˌhil 

as in hill

an upward slope

no matter where you go bicycle touring, the uphills always seem to outnumber the downhills

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hill
• incline
• ascent
• climb
• inclination
• gradient
• acclivity
• rise
• upgrade
• lean
• ridge
• diagonal
• uprise
• tilt
• pitch
• rake
• glacis
• cant
• grade
• swell
• hump
• mound

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• downhill
• decline
• fall
• descent
• dip
• declivity
• hanging
• downgrade
• declension
• depression
• basin
• drop-off
• hollow
• hang

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of uphill

Adjective

Florjancic narrowly missed an uphill 10-footer for par after a nice chip, and McConnell converted yet another clutch two-putt for the win. — Harris Horowitz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

But building a criminal case from her accidental overdose death will be an uphill challenge for investigators. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026

Noun

But too often, getting change into a medical school curriculum is like pushing a stone uphill. — Dr. Marschall Runge, Forbes.com, 1 May 2026

The moment that will likely endure from Klæbo’s perfect Olympics happened on a brutal uphill during the sprint. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026