Difficult-to-understand

Describing something that requires significant effort or specialized knowledge to comprehend, interpret, or grasp the meaning of. This applies to information presented in various forms, including written text, spoken language, complex concepts, artistic expressions, or technical data. The degree of difficulty can vary based on the audience's prior knowledge, cognitive abilities, and the clarity with which the information is presented. It often involves abstract ideas, unfamiliar vocabulary, intricate sentence structures, or poorly organized content. The process of making something difficult-to-understand can be intentional, such as to obscure meaning or confuse, or unintentional due to poor communication skills or inherent complexity.

Difficult-to-understand meaning with examples

• The professor's lectures were notoriously difficult-to-understand, filled with dense jargon and convoluted explanations that left many students bewildered. The abstract philosophical concepts he presented required considerable background knowledge, and his rapid-fire delivery didn't help. Students often found themselves struggling to follow his train of thought, spending hours re-reading notes and searching for clarification.
• The complex legal jargon in the contract made it difficult-to-understand for the average person, leading to potential misunderstandings and unintended consequences. The densely worded clauses and technical terminology required the expertise of a lawyer to fully decipher their implications. Many signatories felt pressured to sign without fully grasping the binding terms due to the inherent complexity.
• The instructions for assembling the furniture were incredibly difficult-to-understand, riddled with ambiguous diagrams and poorly translated sentences. Attempting to follow them was a frustrating experience, leaving me confused and having to redo steps frequently. Eventually, I abandoned them and relied on online videos and online forums to assemble the furniture.
• The avant-garde art piece, with its abstract shapes and lack of readily apparent symbolism, proved to be difficult-to-understand for most gallery visitors. The artist's intention remained elusive, and the piece's meaning felt subjective and open to multiple interpretations. Without a detailed explanation, its significance was missed by many, making it a somewhat frustrating experience.