arduously

IPA/ˈɑːdʒuəsli/
IPA/ˈɑːrdʒuəsli/

arduously — adverb

1. by putting a great deal of sustained physical or mental effort into doing someth

1.adverbB2
Definition

by putting a great deal of sustained physical or mental effort into doing something that is very hard to achieve.

Example

Linh worked arduously in the rice fields from sunrise until late afternoon.

collocation: work arduously

The team trained arduously for months before the national science competition.

collocation: train arduously for [event]

Common collocations
  • work arduously
  • train arduously
  • study arduously
  • strive arduously
  • fight arduously
Synonyms
  • laboriously

    also suggests slow, painstaking physical work

  • strenuously

    highlights great physical energy; can also mean 'strongly objecting'

  • painstakingly

    focuses on extreme care and attention to detail rather than general difficulty

Antonyms
  • easily

    without difficulty or effort

  • effortlessly

    suggesting a natural, smooth absence of strain

Usage Note

Typically modifies action verbs that describe sustained effort, such as work, train, study, strive, or fight. Rarely used with stative verbs (know, believe, own) or in casual spoken English.

Common Mistakes

She worked very arduous on the project.
She worked very arduously on the project.
'arduous' is an adjective; the adverb form 'arduously' is needed to modify a verb.