as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
modern machinery has significantly eased the backbreaking work of farming
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Recent Examples of backbreaking
Plus, large shovels hold a backbreaking amount of snow.
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James Jackson, Popular Mechanics, 18 Sep. 2019
Drawing on unprecedented research, Chang shows how these men performed some of the most dangerous, most backbreaking work to build out the railroad from California, yet received virtually no credit for their contributions.
—Chris Fuchs, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2019
Spraying fields with pesticides and fertilizers, the drones -- which can cover up to 60 acres a day -- could boost crop yields, save time and make backbreaking field work much easier, according to Bug Away.
—Sarah Lazarus and Dan Tham, CNN, 3 July 2019
Facing the possibility of major defections, a roster implosion or a backbreaking salary cap position, Brand tap-danced his way through the minefield in impressive fashion.
—Ben Golliver, The Denver Post, 3 July 2019
See all Example Sentences for backbreaking 
James Jackson, Popular Mechanics, 18 Sep. 2019
Drawing on unprecedented research, Chang shows how these men performed some of the most dangerous, most backbreaking work to build out the railroad from California, yet received virtually no credit for their contributions.
—Chris Fuchs, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2019
Spraying fields with pesticides and fertilizers, the drones -- which can cover up to 60 acres a day -- could boost crop yields, save time and make backbreaking field work much easier, according to Bug Away.
—Sarah Lazarus and Dan Tham, CNN, 3 July 2019
Facing the possibility of major defections, a roster implosion or a backbreaking salary cap position, Brand tap-danced his way through the minefield in impressive fashion.
—Ben Golliver, The Denver Post, 3 July 2019
See all Example Sentences for backbreaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbreaking
Adjective
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The melodic lines, particularly for brass, are very difficult to navigate.Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
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High frequencies are more difficult to block out than other tones, as high-end noise-cancelling headphones from Apple, Bose, and Sony perform similarly.PCMAG, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The company continues to focus on expanding its distribution business and broadening its product range, despite the challenging economic environment.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
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The digital detox journey can be challenging, but many people discover it to be rewarding in the end.Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Bosa confirmed Wednesday that playing through a hip injury last game was the toughest pain he’s endured in 5 1/2 seasons.Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
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The Buffs need to find a way to grind out tough yards on the ground, especially late.Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Delays or budget overruns can erode profitability, so maintaining rigorous oversight and having contingency plans in place are both essential to navigating the complexities of large-scale developments.Meyer Orbach, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
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Like all the other models that will eventually populate the Classic lineup, the Runabout is set to be produced in limited numbers as a measure to ensure both exclusivity and craftsmanship of the highest, most rigorous standards.Martin Lerma, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The dedicated graphics card is capable of 1080p gaming at medium settings just as long as the title isn’t too demanding and will help with any graphic design tasks.Jade Chung-Lee, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
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Every iPhone 16 has 8 GB of RAM, yet that’s cutting it close for the most demanding titles and can lead to crashes.Craig Grannell, WIRED, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.Alia Wong, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2023
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Whether those numbers are an overstatement, or possibly an understatement, is hard to say.Lance Eliot, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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While Malloy's candidacy represents a clear challenge to Sanders' decades-long dominance in Vermont politics, the senator's enduring popularity and political influence remain formidable.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
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Its formidable Second Fleet would protect sea routes, support the continent’s major naval powers, and continue to provide extended deterrence—satiating Europeans who are afraid of abandonment at a time of Russian revanchism.Sumantra Maitra, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Army recruits embark on long marches with heavy rucksacks as part of their training regimen.Alyssa Ages, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2024
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Building off this focus on technique, a good strength training program for youth should progress from simple movements to more complex movements and lighter weights to heavier weights, taking into consideration that not all youth will adapt at the same rate.Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 15 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near backbreaking
Cite this Entry
“Backbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbreaking. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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