Augean

adjective

Au·​ge·​an ȯ-ˈjē-ən How to pronounce Augean (audio)
: extremely formidable or difficult and occasionally distasteful
an Augean task

Examples of Augean in a Sentence

dreaded the Augean task of cleaning the bathroom after an overflow of the toilet
Recent Examples on the Web Obasanjo’s return to power as a civilian leader was supposed to be an economic and political reset, a cleaning of the Augean stables. Uzodinma Iweala, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Augean.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin Augeas, king of Elis, from Greek Augeias; from the legend that his stable, left neglected for 30 years, was finally cleaned by Hercules

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Augean was in 1676

Dictionary Entries Near Augean

Cite this Entry

“Augean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Augean. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!