Learn English – What word/phrase to describe tough times that test a person’s will

phrase-requestssingle-word-requests

We all know the phrase that says something like "Tough times test a man's spirit/will." I am looking for a word that fills in the following blank and captures the essence of this phrase.

It is through ______ times like these that a man's spirit is truly defined.

Best Answer

Difficult

It shows that adversity does not deter a person with will power to accomplish whatever he has set out to do.