1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
the herculean task of grading 60 student essays over one weekend
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2
as in enormous
unusually large
a herculean banquet table that took eight men to lift it
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Recent Examples of herculean
The local architect Rob Michel, an expert in midcentury preservation, would in turn oversee the project, which grew into a herculean logistical challenge requiring the coordination of some 100 specialists.
—
Felix Wagner, Architectural Digest, 27 Feb. 2026
For Paramount, the road ahead will be paved with key management and strategic decisions, as well as a herculean effort to revitalize two media giants that have often struggled to navigate the streaming era.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
But both face a herculean task in catching him, given Malinin’s huge technical advantage over a longer program.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
While finding a new species in plain sight might seem simple, catching the birds – a relatively common sight in the Galapagos – proved a herculean task.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026
Yet expert after expert told me that rebooting the country’s oil industry would require a herculean effort.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
There is demand for more walkable communities but to carve out that kind of space would require herculean effort, involving the purchase of land, the demolition of buildings and approval to convert precious real estate into pedestrian zones.
—Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
At a distance, emulating the success of household names can feel like a herculean task.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
Sherrill has the herculean task of convincing New Jersey voters to keep Democrats in power.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2025
Felix Wagner, Architectural Digest, 27 Feb. 2026
For Paramount, the road ahead will be paved with key management and strategic decisions, as well as a herculean effort to revitalize two media giants that have often struggled to navigate the streaming era.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
But both face a herculean task in catching him, given Malinin’s huge technical advantage over a longer program.
—Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
While finding a new species in plain sight might seem simple, catching the birds – a relatively common sight in the Galapagos – proved a herculean task.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026
Yet expert after expert told me that rebooting the country’s oil industry would require a herculean effort.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
There is demand for more walkable communities but to carve out that kind of space would require herculean effort, involving the purchase of land, the demolition of buildings and approval to convert precious real estate into pedestrian zones.
—Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
At a distance, emulating the success of household names can feel like a herculean task.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
Sherrill has the herculean task of convincing New Jersey voters to keep Democrats in power.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for herculean
Adjective
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Kansas played the Blue Devils close and made life difficult for Duke freshman Cameron Boozer, largely thanks to Flory Bidunga’s defense.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2026
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Parents in attendance shared appreciation for seeing teens connect with older adults, especially during a stage of life when meaningful conversation at home can sometimes feel more difficult.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And so, not far from Tau Ceti, an enormous alien spacecraft looms into view.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
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Indeed, the birth of this enormous sweeping bar may have initially concentrated gas to help trigger star formation and then propel stars outward, the researchers suggested.—
Charles Q. Choi,
Space.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The still-to-close merger, announced on social media Tuesday, will maintain separate brands while sharing brewing facilities and other resources, helping both companies navigate a challenging craft beer industry and explore new opportunities for growth.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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This means 26 wines, which has proven a challenging but really fun experience.—
Laura Ness,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The horn sounded as the ball approached the hoop, marking the second huge shot from Bradley on an otherwise quiet night for the senior guard.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
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Geopolitics aside, this news is a huge deal for the BCIs in general.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In 2008, Klay Thompson of Santa Margarita scored 37 points and made a record seven three-pointers at the notoriously tough Arco Arena in Sacramento to help the Eagles win the Division III title over Sacramento 72-55.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Punch made multiple tough baskets and got to the free-throw line as the Jayhawks struggled with his physicality.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Canori, in his statement, added that his team has taken tremendous care working with Newport Beach and world-class architects to ensure the project complements and aligns with the vision and plan for Newport Center.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
14 Mar. 2026
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And he's got a tremendous card.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Combined with their high reproduction rate, containment is a formidable challenge for state wildlife managers.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
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The task was formidable, but not because of Moy Sing’s lack of wealth or social prominence.—
Charlotte Brooks,
Big Think,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Inside, there’s a long line of people waiting to take a photo under a gigantic Oscar.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
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The shed also comes in an unpainted light wood shade, giving you and any little ones a gigantic (and quite literal) blank canvas with which to work.—
Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano,
The Spruce,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Herculean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herculean. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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