backbreaking

back·break·ing

adj \-ˌbrā-kiŋ\

Definition of BACKBREAKING

: extremely arduous, exhausting, or demoralizing : oppressive <backbreaking labor> <backbreaking rents>

— back·break·er \-kər\ noun

Examples of BACKBREAKING

1. <modern machinery has significantly eased the backbreaking work of farming>

First Known Use of BACKBREAKING

1851

Related to BACKBREAKING

Synonyms: arduous, Augean, hard, challenging, demanding, difficult, effortful, exacting, formidable, grueling (or gruelling), heavy, hellacious, herculean, killer, laborious, moiling, murderous, pick-and-shovel, rigorous, rough, rugged, severe, stiff, strenuous, sweaty, tall, testing, toilsome, tough, uphill

Antonyms: cheap, easy, effortless, facile, light, mindless, simple, soft, undemanding

Related Words: abstract, abstruse, complex, complicated, elusive, hairy, insoluble, intricate, involved, knotty, opaque, problematic (also problematical), recondite, serious, spiny, stubborn, thorny, ticklish, tricky; bruising, burdensome, exhausting, labored, onerous, oppressive, stressful, taxing, tight, trying; annoying, bothersome, distressing, irksome, troublesome, vexatious; grievous, grim, strict, stringent; brutal, cruel, inhuman, painful

Near Antonyms: achievable, clear, doable, elementary, manageable, uncomplicated; comforting, gentle, painless, relaxed, smooth, soothing; accessible, friendly, idiotproof, user-friendly

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