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
  • 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
  • There was a phone booth across the street where striving actors would take calls from their agents, before cell phones.
    — Sam Kashner, Vanity Fair, 12 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
  • Sean Durzi scored 78 seconds in, Dylan Garand made 29 saves and the New York Rangers defeated the travel-weary Ducks 5-2 on Monday night to improve to 6-0-0 at home this fall.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Sean Durzi scored 78 seconds in, Dylan Garand made 29 saves and the New York Rangers defeated the travel-weary Anaheim Ducks 5-2 on Monday night to improve to 6-0-0 at home this fall.
    — CBS New York Team, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of weary
Verb
  • Each time a shutter fires, and each time a tire squeals, involves countless pieces working together to deliver a smooth outcome.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Linn County prosecutors declined to file criminal charges, but the church barred Moore from working with children, youth and vulnerable adults.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 20 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 23 Oct. 2026.

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