as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
the book's abstruse subject matter and dense prose make for effortful reading
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Recent Examples of effortful
Cronin said that the Ducks’ recent pair of losses to the Kings – the Ducks also lost to their crosstown rivals, 3-2, on Saturday in Ontario – demonstrated some of what his club should emulate in terms of effortful shot-blocking and aggressive forechecking.
—
Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 1 Oct. 2024
Instead of simplifying the process, Whole Foods found a way to make checking out with an alcohol purchase significantly more effortful.
—Roger Dooley, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
Moreover, job candidates may get turned off by companies that require lengthy, effortful assessment processes.
—Elaine Pulakos, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
He’s introduced as an anxious father but then his particular behaviors — a hyper-attention to detail, the effortful attempt to control his jaw muscles, the tenseness of his smile — become signs of a more malevolent violence.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for effortful
Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 1 Oct. 2024
Instead of simplifying the process, Whole Foods found a way to make checking out with an alcohol purchase significantly more effortful.
—Roger Dooley, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
Moreover, job candidates may get turned off by companies that require lengthy, effortful assessment processes.
—Elaine Pulakos, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
He’s introduced as an anxious father but then his particular behaviors — a hyper-attention to detail, the effortful attempt to control his jaw muscles, the tenseness of his smile — become signs of a more malevolent violence.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for effortful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effortful
Adjective
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As college sports continues its rapid professionalization, the ACC is in a difficult spot.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
19 Mar. 2025
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Most of the files are scans of documents, and some are blurred or have become faint or difficult to read in the decades since Kennedy's assassination.—
Joel Shannon,
USA TODAY,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Global hiring can offer a fresh solution in these challenging times.—
James Peters,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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Job resignations have slowed as workers perceive (and data supports) getting another job is more challenging.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This is the product of a rigorous education that begins in the elementary school years, building on itself to the point of being an ongoing, lifelong commitment to self-development.—
Eli Amdur,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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Professional gamers adhere to rigorous schedules to refine their craft.—
Adam Rumanek,
Rolling Stone,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The New York Fed survey of consumer expectations showed respondents believe tougher economic conditions are ahead.—
Courtenay Brown,
Axios,
11 Mar. 2025
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Secret Service would likely have something to say about that, though the Cybertruck does have a pretty tough exterior.—
Emily Forlini,
PCMAG,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While lapidary work involves precise and sometimes physically demanding tasks, the CEYLONS female gem-cutting program aims to banish any and all misconceptions that such labor is unsuitable for women.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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The most obvious question those holding or thinking of picking up tickets for future shows might be asking is whether Ann could still deliver some of the most demanding wailing in the rock ‘n’ roll canon at age 74, with or without the recent issues.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
7 Mar. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Effortful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effortful. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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