drudging 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdrə-jiŋ How to pronounce drudging (audio)
Definition of drudgingnext
as in boring
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest the hours of drudging effort that went into straightening out the company's books

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

drudging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of drudge
as in laboring
to devote serious and sustained effort factory workers who must drudge all day at repetitive tasks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 drudging
Verb
In the last few years AI companies have been reportedly shifting from training their models with the help of data annotators (who, in some instances, have experienced allegedly exploitative and toxic working conditions) doing drudging work in developing countries. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drudging
  1. boring
  2. laboring
  3. tiring
  4. striving
  5. slow
  6. struggling
  7. weary
  8. working
Adjective
  • Let’s start with tracking Savu, where, because of the tiny tribes, the most obvious and boring thing ends up happening.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Smith is betting that in a market where every phone looks the same, the bigger risk is being boring.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of boring
Verb
  • Strange, yes, but definitely more memorable than an accountant in green eyeshade laboring over the books.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • And workers have now spent over 1 million hours laboring on an infrastructure project whose price tag has surpassed $900 million.
    — Robert Tann, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of laboring
Adjective
  • Tommy Gemmell, advanced from left-back, provided the equaliser on 63 minutes and with Inter tiring and Celtic still pushing, Chalmers scored the famous winner with six minutes left.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • But after a while, the lack of grounding gets tiring, as various supernatural shenanigans appear to be determined more by plot convenience than anything else.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of tiring
Verb
  • Filmed largely on the doctors’ phones, the film offers an intimate account of the people striving to preserve life amid a devastating humanitarian crisis.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026
  • And those striving for zest under these circumstances may benefit from assistance from a mental health professional like a psychologist, a physical health provider like a physician, or a personal trainer or fitness instructor.
    — Joan M. Cook, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of striving
Adjective
  • The song develops into a slow-burn, lighters-up jam, its long, unhurried coda like getting lost in a sea of echoing, overlapping memories.
    — Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Protein and fiber slow digestion, supporting satiety and healthy blood sugar regulation.
    — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of slow
Verb
  • The school has implemented programs to help struggling students close achievement gaps and introduced the Hadley Literacy Plan to improve writing schoolwide.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Fashion’s nature risks and dependencies are wide-reaching, from cotton harvests ravaged by drought and leather supply chains riddled with deforestation, to manufacturing hubs struggling with water scarcity and retail networks affected by flooding.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of struggling
Adjective
  • The political hardball and outside money have left some observers weary.
    — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Voting reflected unease over Netanyahu’s alliance with the far-right and anger in a war-weary nation over military draft exemptions for the significant ultra-Orthodox Jewish population.
    — Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of weary
Verb
  • Still, something unexpected may force you to try a different method, schedule, or approach that ends up working better.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The association and Special Olympics Illinois are working together so down the road, more Special Olympians will be inducted.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of working

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Cite this Entry

“Drudging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drudging. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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