PICK-AND-SHOVEL Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

pick-and-shovel

adjective

ˈpik-ən(d)-ˈshə-vəl

Definition of pick-and-shovel

as in challenging

requiring considerable physical or mental effort she loves coming up with the "big idea" but hates the actual pick-and-shovel work of starting a new business

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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 pick-and-shovel Since then, investors have treated the industrial stock as a pick-and-shovel AI play instead of a lagging conglomerate. — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 2 July 2026 Investors have an insatiable appetite to fund the pick-and-shovel businesses underpinning data-center buildouts and Ford’s version of an AI pivot shows that even staid companies like the 122-year-old giant aren’t above the fray. — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 14 May 2026 So far with Big Tech spending at an all-time high—fueled by a fear of being left behind—the pick-and-shovel approach has been paying dividends. — Peter Andersen, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pick-and-shovel

Adjective

Even during a challenging season, Stanek continued to showcase one of baseball's hardest fastballs with a plus slider, splitter and sweeper.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
There’s also 20-year-old Connor Zilisch, who’s had a challenging rookie season but is still one of the most prized young drivers to ever join the Cup Series.

— Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

For a long time, we’ve all been told that remastering the older Super Robot Wars games was extremely difficult, due to all the licensing and other costs involved.

— Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
After three difficult years, armed groups loyal to Tehran appear to be bouncing back across the Middle East, reinforcing Iran’s leverage in its war with the US and Israel.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

The city's local Democratic lawmakers claim that the tough-on-crime policies only temporarily reduced crime while troop presence was at its peak.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Lopez and multiple bullpen arms got out of tough jams to limit the Red Sox 16 baserunners across the first nine innings to just two runs, only one earned.

— Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Academy leaders have repeatedly told Congress that rigorous scholarship, civilian faculty expertise and exposure to complex questions help prepare officers for the uncertainty of modern warfare.

— James LaPorta, CBS News, 31 July 2026
The progress marks the transition from years of design, research, and technology demonstrations to the construction of physical aircraft that will undergo rigorous testing before entering operational service.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026

Definition of rigorous

Adjective

That is a demanding position to hold, and most organizations have built conditions that make holding it harder every year.

— Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
At the 2024 Monterey Historic races, he was seen driving the 250 P aggressively around the demanding Laguna Seca track.

— Howard Walker, Robb Report, 31 July 2026

Definition of demanding

Adjective

Loyalty programs can become harder to understand when members are confronted with dozens of offers that have little connection to the brand’s identity.

— Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Miami’s roster Saturday was depleted as German Berterame is out on concussion protocol after a hard hit against Montreal that resulted in him exiting the field in an ambulance.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of hard

Adjective

Anyone in the bout would make a formidable champion, but given Flair’s lengthy history with Ripley, that is the most high-profile unification bout WWE could possibly do down the road.

— Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
The episode reveals the formidable powers available to a president to target his enemies.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Definition of formidable

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pick-and-shovel

pick at

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“Pick-and-shovel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pick-and-shovel. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of pick-and-shovel

adjective

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