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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of effortful
The film’s chief sin is its effortful posture of compassion for the plight of these boys, and those like them in the real world.
—
Richard Lawson, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Now, early, effortful gig jobs (like Uber and DoorDash) are on the decline, replaced by low-effort digital side gigs.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
As those of us who received some sourdough starter during the pandemic and made big plans to master the craft can attest, baking sourdough bread from scratch is, as Neeson pointed out, effortful.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 24 July 2025
Some of his films are insufficiently grounded in drama; others undercut ample drama with effortful direction.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for effortful
Richard Lawson, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Now, early, effortful gig jobs (like Uber and DoorDash) are on the decline, replaced by low-effort digital side gigs.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
As those of us who received some sourdough starter during the pandemic and made big plans to master the craft can attest, baking sourdough bread from scratch is, as Neeson pointed out, effortful.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 24 July 2025
Some of his films are insufficiently grounded in drama; others undercut ample drama with effortful direction.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for effortful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effortful
Adjective
-
Jens generally chooses his words carefully, and is, what’s more, particularly reticent just after finishing a long and difficult winter delivery trip; what’s a person supposed to do with words in a blizzard anyway, up on a stormy heath and all directions lost?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
In his first start in the wake of Beau Pribula’s significant injury, Zollers walked into a difficult situation, and his stat line reflected it.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
What’s been the most challenging period for you?—
Kevin Cassidy,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Getting back in shape this year proved to be more challenging than expected.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors.—
Harlan Vaughn,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The Encinitas Green Business Network provides a rigorous framework for local organizations to reduce their environmental footprint through actionable, practical, and high-impact improvements.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
This loss had to be especially tough for the Jayhawks, considering a controversial holding call on KU changed the momentum of the game.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
-
However, their record at the Etihad makes for tough reading.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Being the greatest gymnast is a demanding job, requiring a level of physical, mental, and emotional commitment most people couldn’t handle.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Polartec® Power Shield™ Pro—Protection, Evolved Engineered for the world’s most demanding mountain athletes, Polartec® Power Shield™ Pro represents the pinnacle of shell technology, blurring the lines between hard and soft shells.—
SJ Studio,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Of all my books, Helm has been so hard and so lovingly written.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Regardless, making amends with Ronnie is harder than Lilly would like.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Effortful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effortful. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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