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 Some particularly outrageous one-liners about race snuck into the film’s final cut, although much of its dicier material comes off as weirdly effortful instead of provocative or reckless. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 June 2026 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 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 The Risks of Training With AI Educational researchers have long argued that expertise develops through effortful learning and deliberate practice. — Spencer Dorn, Forbes.com, 25 June 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
  • Sarah Buck, Chicago Driving has become harder The rapid increase in bike lanes has made driving much more difficult and tedious, with numerous delays due to many streets being reduced to one lane in busy areas.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Republican strategists have welcomed those nominations as an opening for attack in a difficult election year.
    — Susan Page, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • This enduring legacy, underscores the lawyer's role as an officer of the court, preserving the rule of law even when challenging authority.
    — Joseph Andrew, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • Educate your family on our country’s history, both good and challenging.
    — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
Definition of challenging
Adjective
  • Every cybersecurity article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors.
    — Brian Sloan, CNBC, 3 July 2026
  • This improves both customer and agent experience, while still meeting rigorous business standards around accuracy, reliability, and risk management.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of rigorous
Adjective
  • MacDonald agrees that some of Kiros' positions could put Democratic candidates in a tough spot.
    — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • The 34 measures include cuts to income tax for low- and middle income families, an overhaul of the creaking pension system, tougher rules for employees' sick leave and a reduction of the country's stifling bureaucracy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • Building a paper airplane can be as demanding as building the airframe of a real aircraft.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 July 2026
  • Once the evaluation process is complete, the company plans to scale production to thousands of units over the next three years, targeting manufacturers seeking to automate physically demanding and hazardous work.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Definition of demanding
Adjective
  • Not long afterward, he was elected president on a platform deeply hostile to the West and its liberal ideology, and especially to the United States — threatening a hard fight in the event of war.
    — Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • That’s hard to imagine of a president who uses the office to promote and prosper from his own brand name.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of hard

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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 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of effortful for Spanish Speakers

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