There are various synonyms for the word "are tough" such as challenging, difficult, hard, arduous, demanding, formidable, rugged, strenuous, and trying. These words describe situations that require significant effort, skill, or endurance to overcome. Challenging and difficult imply that a task or situation requires a great deal of mental or physical effort, while hard and arduous suggest that a task is particularly laborious. Formidable and rugged imply that something is imposing or harsh, while strenuous and trying suggest that a task is tiring or emotionally draining. Regardless of the synonym used, all of these words convey the idea that a situation is not easy to deal with.