as in effort
the active use of energy in producing a result
with a little polish and a lot of elbow grease, I was able to make the old silver teapot shine again
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Recent Examples of elbow grease
Sometimes, good old-fashioned elbow grease can work even better.
—
Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2026
Prepare to apply some elbow grease for the best results.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
There’s also an impressive discount on the top-selling Fullstar vegetable chopper that can dice produce any which way without any elbow grease on your end, as well as this six-piece champagne flute set that’s primed for New Year’s Eve festivities.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025
To experience the preserve’s tranquility, visitors have to put in a little elbow grease.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elbow grease
Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2026
Prepare to apply some elbow grease for the best results.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
There’s also an impressive discount on the top-selling Fullstar vegetable chopper that can dice produce any which way without any elbow grease on your end, as well as this six-piece champagne flute set that’s primed for New Year’s Eve festivities.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025
To experience the preserve’s tranquility, visitors have to put in a little elbow grease.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elbow grease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elbow grease
Noun
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Eco effort To cover all of Inkaterra's eco initiatives would require another article entirely.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
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Kate Schneider’s hat trick with two goals led a well-balanced effort as Walpole used to down Ursuline 8-4.—
Kristina Banahan,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The researchers are hopeful that their work will help advance hydrovoltaic devices that can power battery-free devices using water, heat, and sunlight.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
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Grillmair’s work had focused on uncovering the structure of the Milky Way, identifying faint stellar streams and substructures that make up the galactic halo surrounding our spiral galaxy, and helping reshape our understanding of how galaxies evolve, according to his website.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And not only through month-long vacations and pains au chocolat.—
Hannah Seligson,
Vanity Fair,
12 Feb. 2026
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The Guy, as Sinclair is known on the show, sells to everyone, stressed-out 20-something assistant and cross-dressing stay-at-home dad alike, witnessing their private joys and pains and shortcomings and judging no one.—
Ezra Marcus,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elbow grease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elbow%20grease. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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