険しい・嶮しい|けわしいkewashii[3]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. i-adjectiveprecipitous; rugged; inaccessible; impregnable; steep
   彼かれらは険けわしい北面ほくめんを登のぼった。↗

   They climbed the rugged north face.
2. i-adjectivegrim; severe; stern

• Synonym切り立ったきりたったNeutralDescribes sheer cliffs or peaks rising almost vertically, as in 「切り立った崖」; 「険しい」 can also describe a stern expression.
• Synonym峻険しゅんけんWrittenWritten word, chiefly for mountains that are high and sharply steep; everyday speech normally uses 「険しい」.
• Synonym険阻けんそWrittenWritten word for terrain that is steep and hard to pass through; for everyday use 「険しい」 is the normal choice.
• Synonym険峻けんしゅんWrittenWritten word for high, steep mountains and slopes; everyday speech prefers 「険しい」.
• Synonym急峻きゅうしゅんWrittenWritten word for a steep gradient, as in 「急峻な斜面」; 「険しい」 also figuratively describes a hard road ahead.
• Related危ないあぶないNeutralMeans dangerous, and the most colloquial of these; 「険しい」 focuses on steep terrain and a stern expression.
• Related危ういあやういWrittenWritten word for being in imminent danger or a precarious state; 「険しい」 focuses on steep terrain.
• Related危険きけんNeutralA noun for danger or risk; 「険しい」 instead stresses steep ground or a severe, grim air.
• Related急きゅうNeutralCovers a steep gradient, as in 「急な坂」, and also suddenness; 「険しい」 adds the sense of being hard to climb.
• Related厳しいきびしいNeutralThe usual word for severe or strict, as in 「厳しい寒さ」; 「険しい」 can also describe steep terrain.
• Related困難こんなんNeutralA noun for difficulty or hardship; 「険しい」 instead paints roads or prospects as rough and perilous.
• Related難しいむずかしいNeutralMeans difficult or complicated; 「険しい」 is for steep roads and a hard, risky path ahead.
• Related過酷かこくNeutralDescribes harsh conditions or environments, as in 「過酷な労働」; 「険しい」 stresses steepness instead.
• Related荒々しいあらあらしいNeutralDescribes rough, violent movement or behavior; 「険しい」 is about steep ground or a severe look.
• Related荒っぽいあらっぽいNeutralCovers roughness or rudeness in manner and work; 「険しい」 is for steep terrain and stern expressions.
• Related荒いあらいNeutralDescribes a violent temper or rough waves; 「険しい」 is about steep land and a stern face.
• Related手厳しいてきびしいNeutralFor harsh criticism or treatment, as in 「手厳しい批判」; 「険しい」 describes a stern expression rather than harsh words.
• Antonym緩やかゆるやかNeutralThe antonym for gradient: describes a gentle slope where 「険しい」 would mean steep.
• Antonym穏やかおだやかNeutralThe antonym for expressions and atmosphere: calm and mild where 「険しい」 is grim.

Use 「険しい」 for steep mountain paths, a stern expression, or a hard, risky road ahead. For a mere steep slope say 「急」, for severity 「厳しい」, and for harsh criticism 「手厳しい」. 「峻険」「険阻」「険峻」「急峻」 are written words, chiefly heard of steep mountains and slopes; in everyday speech 「険しい」 does the job. Words like 「危ない」「危険」「困難」「難しい」 speak of danger or difficulty, not steepness. The antonyms are 「緩やか」 for a gentle slope and 「穏やか」 for a calm face or mood.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 斜面しゃめんの傾かたむきの大おおきい。地面じめんの起伏きふくの多おおい。
2. 難むずかしい。厳きびしい。困難こんなんである。
3. 困こまったような怒おこったような表情ひょうじょう。