HEAVY LIFTING Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

heavy lifting

noun

Definition of heavy lifting

as in drudgery

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 heavy lifting Further out, agentic delivery becomes the norm, with AI doing the heavy lifting and humans guiding outcomes rather than producing them. — Ali Alkhafaji, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026 That approach is especially clear in the first-floor apartment, where the original architecture does most of the heavy lifting, and the new interiors feel like a continuation rather than a reset. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026 The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines physically demanding jobs as those that require certain levels and durations of physical exertion, such as climbing, heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, standing or walking. — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026 Lynne Goldberg, meditation teacher and co-founder of the Breethe meditation app, told Real Simple that these pauses do the heavy lifting. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heavy lifting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy lifting

Noun

Because amid the drudgery, Veach spent endless time one-on-one with Reid, including hours of watching video and learning the game through an entirely new lens.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
My daily routine of placing a half dozen or so wagers of $5 to $20 feels more like drudgery than fun.

— Dan Horn, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of drudgery

Noun

The usual symptoms include high fever, headache, stiffness and an overall feeling that resembles the flu.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
Budget cuts The unrest is adding to a major political headache for the government, which is about to start tough budget negotiations against a backdrop of division and economic turmoil.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of headache

Noun

In the days following the crime, her four children distributed hundreds of fliers throughout the area, asking for the public’s help in identifying their mother’s killer.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2026
By any objective measure, the Pan America is a capable, comfortable, raucous-sounding, brute-faced, mile-killer that attracts only the very finest heathens.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of killer

Noun

For decades, the European Union has led the world in implementing policies designed to cut emissions, creating the world’s most important price on carbon and crafting the rules of the road for a wide range of regulatory efforts.

— Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Pan, a pediatrician, made national headlines while in the Legislature for leading California’s efforts to enact strict school vaccine laws.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of effort

Noun

Following the ruling, Benson drowns her sorrows over cocktails with Sharpe, and, in a revealing, impeccably acted scene, airs out her grievances about her job.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Hey, the boss needs a favor In a November 2025 Reddit post, one person described buying $800 in Target gift cards on their second day at a new job after receiving an email impersonating their boss.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of job

Noun

Brisk walking, light cycling, doubles tennis and household chores such as vacuuming, mopping and mowing the lawn were categorized as moderate activity; vigorous activity included jogging, fast cycling, singles tennis and aerobics.

— Jennifer Fields, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
Wall Street has expressed concerns about the company’s indebtedness — and taming its debt obligations will be a sizable chore for Ellison and his team.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of chore

Noun

In my eyes, Las Vegas looks like a postseason team, which means this tough, grind-it-out win could be something the Chiefs have to deal with not only two more times this season but for the foreseeable future.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026
During the long grind of an 82-game NBA regular season, the Heat’s hope is this players-only getaway marks the start of a successful year after missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 2019.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of grind

Browse Nearby Words

heavy hitters

heavy lifting

heavy liftings

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Heavy lifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy%20lifting. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of heavy lifting

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes