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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 outbreak is spreading under extremely difficult conditions, fueled by insecurity, displacement, a health workers' strike and intense population movements.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
  • And widespread adoption by farmers is challenging because perennial crops don’t yield as much, harvesting can be difficult and the market still is developing.
    — Joshua A. Bickel, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • A student who is laughing while solving a challenging problem is still learning.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Was working in the feature-length format freeing or more challenging?
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of challenging
Adjective
  • To classify a new fiber, the FTC requires its makers to demonstrate that the material is fundamentally different from existing fibers, established through a rigorous regulatory review.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Success in the exam, one of the most rigorous standardized tests in the world, allows students to study at Korea’s top universities.
    — Lim Hui Jie,Miko Jang, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of rigorous
Adjective
  • Your character, Alex, is a literary agent, working in a demanding artistic field.
    — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • As industries increasingly operate equipment in extreme thermal and demanding environments, optical components must withstand conditions that can quickly degrade conventional materials.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of demanding
Adjective
  • Soldier Field and Wrigley Field will have formidable new competition.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Importantly, such research demonstrated the formidable risk associated with self-criticism for postpartum depression and anxiety, as well as for disruptions in mother-child communication, which might exacerbate postpartum psychopathology.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of formidable
Adjective
  • Because of the heat wave's dramatic effect on everyday life, Paris became a tough place to walk around in the sunshine.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
  • But Chipotle has been in a tough spot since Niccol departed in 2024, and even as Boatwright’s plan shows signs of momentum (same-store sales have begun to tick back up again), there are open questions about Chipotle’s strategic direction.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 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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audits
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 20 Sep. 2026.

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