EFFORTFUL Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

effortful

adjective

ˈe-fərt-fəl

Definition of effortful

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort the book's abstruse subject matter and dense prose make for effortful reading

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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 effortful The same goes for anyone who finds visualization mentally effortful in a way that feels alerting rather than relaxing. — Angela Haupt, Time, 5 May 2026 But this Roundabout production at Studio 54 — the site of glittering debauchery of another era — just isn’t all that much fun, being mostly effortful, maddening and finally exhausting. — Frank Rizzo, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026 Now came the surprise of my effortful steps, the shock of how unyielding the dress’s shell was, as if I were being held in place by a firm hand. — Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026 What a transformation that would’ve been, of the effortful, unchanging days. — Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for effortful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for effortful

Adjective

Her protectiveness of the island stretches back years, in part because Nantucket saved her, in a way, during a difficult time in her life.

— Wendy Naugle, USA Today, 11 July 2026
In the book, Hollis asks Gigi to stay after a difficult conversation about the affair.

— Max Gao, Variety, 11 July 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

These renovations have made Bliss Matcha & Beyond’s move less challenging, according to Gorski.

— Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026
Ahead of a challenging midterm election, Republicans have seized an opportunity to castigate their opponents as extremists after democratic socialists won recent Democratic congressional primaries in New York and Colorado.

— Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 11 July 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

Any new toll roads would have to make practical sense and survive rigorous feasibility studies.

— Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026
Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of financial products.

— Liz Knueven, CNBC, 10 July 2026

Definition of rigorous

Adjective

The talks are meant to focus on the toughest matters, including fully reopening the strait and rolling back Tehran’s disputed nuclear program.

— Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Patrick Cantlay made a little noise in an otherwise quiet year for the American with five birdies in 10 holes and then a collection of tough par saves at the end that felt just as valuable.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson star as two young men who sign up for a physically demanding and deathly competition led by Mark Hamill’s Major.

— Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 10 July 2026
The leading Chinese models still trail the frontier on the most demanding reasoning work, a gap this publication walked through when DeepSeek cut prices in April.

— Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of demanding

Adjective

Not long afterward, he was elected president on a platform deeply hostile to the West and its liberal ideology, and especially to the United States — threatening a hard fight in the event of war.

— Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
That’s hard to imagine of a president who uses the office to promote and prosper from his own brand name.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of hard

Browse Nearby Words

effort

effortful

effortfulness

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“Effortful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effortful. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of effortful

adjective

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