effortful

adjective

ˈe-fərt-fəl How to pronounce effortful (audio)
Definition of effortfulnext
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort the book's abstruse subject matter and dense prose make for effortful reading

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 However, theories about how people regulate their emotions suggest that, like any effortful psychological process, reappraisal involves multiple steps. — Christian Waugh, The Conversation, 12 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for effortful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effortful
  1. difficult
  2. challenging
  3. rigorous
  4. tough
  5. demanding
  6. hard
Adjective
  • Finding people at high risk of incubating the Bundibugyo virus, also known as contact tracing, has proved difficult in Congo.
    — CONSTANT SAME BAGALWA, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • McKinsey’s data says some of those moves can be difficult for certain workers.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • Until now, scientists could measure the total phosphorus preserved in ancient rocks, but determining the share that was actually available to marine life remained challenging.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Alas, its path appears quite challenging, given that Digger earned a C+ CinemaScore from audiences and holds a 51 percent approval from reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of challenging
Adjective
  • The list takes months to compile, with multiple steps and checks designed to ensure the ranking is rigorous and consistent.
    — Kelli Grant, CFP®,Riley de León, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • With rigorous reporting and more than 150 interviews with those working for the US’ most influential AI companies, technology journalist Roose covers Silicon Valley’s breakneck race to build artificial general intelligence.
    — Mary Lawrence Ware, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of rigorous
Adjective
  • Now, Germino says her social media presence is all about giving other patients going through the same tough decision an example of someone who’s thriving after the procedure.
    — Kara McGrath, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's administration is about to start tough budget negotiations against a backdrop of division and economic turmoil.
    — Chloe Taylor,Jenni Reid, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • The conductors who oversee the recording of the movie scores are portrayed as hyper-demanding corporate perfectionists.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Quantum computers could eventually solve very demanding computational problems much faster than regular computers.
    — Sophya Garashchuk, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of demanding
Adjective
  • That capability matters against some of the hardest targets facing modern air defenses.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Built along a verdant slope edging Bodrum’s Paradise Bay, this contemporary property offers hard-to-beat vistas.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of hard

Browse Nearby Words

effort
effortful
effortfulness
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Cite this Entry

“Effortful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effortful. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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