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
  • Jarman, who came in as the defending champion on the event, put together a more difficult routine but was nicked by judges for his execution.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • This is the last remaining game on the schedule that should be very difficult.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • Such calculations are part of a wider effort to understand why molecular simulations remain challenging.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • But the shift in college athletics has required an internal reconciling that is even more challenging than the external education.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of challenging
Adjective
  • The chemicals subject to the new policy haven’t gone through that rigorous vetting process.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Every insurance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of financial products.
    — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of rigorous
Adjective
  • And as routine tasks are automated, workers could lose opportunities to develop the experience needed for more demanding work.
    — Lindsay Dodgson, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The Sun enters your 12th House, drawing your attention toward rest, reflection, privacy, unfinished matters, and everything easier to hear when the outside world becomes less demanding.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of demanding
Adjective
  • Oscar winners Vasarahelyi and Chin’s original intent was to document the quest of Morrison and his life partner, elite ski mountaineer Hilaree Nelson, to summit the dangerous north face of Everest and ski down the formidable Hornbein Couloir.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Remarkably, he’s accomplished this feat while using a 400-pound power wheelchair — navigating not just the globe but formidable accessibility barriers.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of formidable
Adjective
  • With the balance of power in Tallahassee at stake, Miami’s Republican state senators fended off tough challenges Tuesday night, while Democratic candidates flipped several South Florida state House seats for the minority party in Florida’s capital.
    — Miami Herald staff, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Whoever wins the contest will be stepping into one of the California’s toughest political jobs.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 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 5 Nov. 2026.

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