BACKBREAKING Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

backbreaking

adjective

ˈbak-ˌbrā-kiŋ

Definition of backbreaking

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort modern machinery has significantly eased the backbreaking work of farming

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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 backbreaking The trials pay better than dishwashing, require no skills and are far less backbreaking than loading and unloading boxes. — Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2021 The Kings were leading 80-60 at the time and led by as many as 26 in the game, dealing the Blazers’ playoff chase a backbreaking blow. — oregonlive, 8 Mar. 2020 Drawing on unprecedented research, Chang shows how these men performed some of the most dangerous, most backbreaking work to build out the railroad from California, yet received virtually no credit for their contributions. — Chris Fuchs, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2019 Spraying fields with pesticides and fertilizers, the drones -- which can cover up to 60 acres a day -- could boost crop yields, save time and make backbreaking field work much easier, according to Bug Away. — Sarah Lazarus and Dan Tham, CNN, 3 July 2019 See All Example Sentences for backbreaking

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbreaking

Adjective

Strickland said even getting equipment on the road during construction can be difficult for farmers.

— Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 July 2026
While following the money may be difficult, there are other signs of the growing role of organized crime in politics.

— Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

In April, DeepSeek rolled out previews of its latest V4 model, challenging OpenAI’s GPT and Google’s Gemini.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
As a business owner, Maloney says, the most rewarding and most challenging aspect of the job is making all the decisions and solving every problem.

— Claire Hall, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

Then again, allowing American companies to sell BPC-157 for human use could create the impression that the peptide, which hasn’t passed through the rigorous process the FDA uses to approve new drugs, nonetheless has the agency’s blessing.

— Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Hydrogen requires specialized storage systems, dedicated airport infrastructure, and rigorous safety standards.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026

Definition of rigorous

Adjective

The company positions it as a daily-use model rather than one reserved only for the most demanding workloads.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
Valdebebas sources describe Mourinho as demanding but approachable — someone who pushes players hard while remaining involved in every detail of training.

— Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of demanding

Adjective

Not play-act, but do the real work, make the hard and noble choices, not forsake his vows but live by them.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Adding another employee, buying a new piece of equipment, or expanding into a larger space all become harder when the tax code penalizes those investments.

— Kent Strang, Boston Herald, 26 July 2026

Definition of hard

Adjective

The new model also challenges an industry belief that leading-edge AI requires heavy spending on data centers and the advanced chips that the US has restricted access to.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
But in the years since, this business decision has come under heavy scrutiny because of the rapid rise in team valuations.

— Annie Costabile, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of heavy

Browse Nearby Words

backbones

backbreaking

back-channel

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“Backbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbreaking. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of backbreaking

adjective

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