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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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

The shortcomings of Usman and Dvalishvili, future Hall of Famers, only point to how difficult the historic mark was to reach.

— Mark Puleo, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
The Teamsters have been enthusiastically endorsing the bill specifically because, while 40-something employers would be difficult to collectively bargain against, DSP workers would be much easier to organize once within Amazon.

— Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

The champion faced a challenging opponent, as Garry forced him to work hard for seven takedowns and inflicted some facial damage.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
The current outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo Ebola virus, is unfolding in some of the most challenging conditions imaginable.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

Coventry, for example, face Manchester City away in Gameweek Three, while some of the teams worth targeting early like Manchester United, Chelsea and Sunderland have tougher fixtures in Gameweeks Three or Four.

— Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
This summer has seen a confluence of challenges, including excessive heat that allows food contamination to grow and a pathogen that’s particularly tough to pin down.

— Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Thanks to the shrinking publishing industry and dwindling writerly job market, the internet is rife with smart freelance editors, rigorous copy editors, and award-winning authors moonlighting as book doulas.

— Keziah Weir, Vanity Fair, 13 Aug. 2026
Every personal loan article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal loan products.

— Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of rigorous

Adjective

For the last six years, Six has lived as a recluse in Amsterdam, lying in bed and going out twice a day for decaf coffee (the regular brew is too hard on his shattered nerves).

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
That could make a huge difference in remote communities where fuel is hard to find and dependable electricity cannot be taken for granted.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of hard

Adjective

Miami entered the game riding a seven-match unbeaten streak in league play and leading MLS with 45 goals, but facing a formidable foe in Nashville.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026
This one stars Cox himself as a mysterious and formidable old man in an undertaker’s suit and parson’s hat who wanders into an Arizona border town in 1890 to gather the names of dead Mexican laborers.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of formidable

Adjective

In June, the defense argued that Murdaugh couldn’t get an impartial trial in the 14th Judicial Circuit, which includes Colleton County, partly because of heavy case publicity.

— Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
While the exact timing and intensity of the impacts are still uncertain and will ultimately depend on how close Lala tracks to the Hawaiian islands, heavy rain, strong winds and rough surf impacts are likely this weekend.

— Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 14 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of backbreaking

adjective

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