Augean

adjective

ȯ-ˈjē-ən How to pronounce Augean (audio)
Definition of Augeannext
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort dreaded the Augean task of cleaning the bathroom after an overflow of the toilet

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of Augean Removing Spurs’ mental block is like cleaning the Augean stables. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Augean
  1. difficult
  2. challenging
  3. rigorous
  4. demanding
  5. formidable
  6. tough
  7. toilsome
Adjective
  • The California Board of Pharmacy in 2025 reversed course on regulations that would have made the supplement more difficult to acquire after pushback from some firefighters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Striking out on her own was a difficult transition, but embracing her solitude gave her the space to learn more about herself and make her own personal decisions, such as getting her cat or making meals of her choosing.
    — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • Sharing her new life on social media helped give Hoadley a sense of empowerment despite her challenging circumstances.
    — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter Carson McCullers’ remarkable debut novel tells a story of the American South, one set in Georgia and peopled with a cast of characters that exist in a rich, layered, and challenging reality.
    — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of challenging
Adjective
  • Every personal finance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of home loan products.
    — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But alongside serious thinkers such as Rankine, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Saidiya Hartman, less rigorous writers and ideas were also elevated.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of rigorous
Adjective
  • These quick tests reveal fine detail, dimensional accuracy, and whether the printer is over- or under-exposed, providing a consistent baseline before evaluating more demanding real-world prints.
    — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The squad underwent intensive work in Portugal, where players generally had one long, demanding morning session, before being given time to recover, often with yoga and massages.
    — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of demanding
Adjective
  • Banks wrote this piece as an ensemble work, not as a showcase for his formidable instrumental prowess.
    — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
  • So does Kevin Reddington, the formidable defense attorney who is representing Clancy in her criminal trial, taking place in Plymouth, which is being live-streamed on the Internet and heavily covered on local news.
    — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of formidable
Adjective
  • The war, and in particular Iran’s direct targeting of the Gulf, makes this approach a tough pill to swallow.
    — Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The conversation shifted from tougher ordinances toward resource allocation and investing in third spaces, which are places outside of work, school or home.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Republicans lacked the votes to pass anything so their amendments tended to be trollish and toilsome fliers meant to either own the libs or just annoy the legislators.
    — Matt Ford, The New Republic, 9 Aug. 2022
  • Though the third quarter was significantly better for Netflix than its previous quarter, the company signaled that there could be toilsome times ahead.
    — Natalie Jarvey, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Oct. 2019
Definition of toilsome

Phrases Containing Augean

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Augean
Augean stable
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Cite this Entry

“Augean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Augean. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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