as in challenging
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
she loves coming up with the "big idea" but hates the actual pick-and-shovel work of starting a new business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 pick-and-shovel
Investors have an insatiable appetite to fund the pick-and-shovel businesses underpinning data-center buildouts and Ford’s version of an AI pivot shows that even staid companies like the 122-year-old giant aren’t above the fray.
—
Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 14 May 2026
The company's growth has been partially fueled by robust demand for its iPhones, which is especially likely to boost the group of pick-and-shovel plays, according to Stifel.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 1 May 2026
This is a pick-and-shovel play with accelerating demand.
—Sasirekha Subramanian, Forbes.com, 24 Feb. 2026
The biggest beneficiaries here aren’t only the flashy tech giants but also the pick-and-shovel players: processor makers, cooling system vendors, and the unsung heroes of database architecture etc.
—Kjartan Rist, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
The core operation and a smattering of pick-and-shovel prospects mined the surface gold that was easily extracted by hand from exposed late Cretaceous-period rocks that shed bits of precious minerals in flakes, nuggets and dust.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 26 Jan. 2024
Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 14 May 2026
The company's growth has been partially fueled by robust demand for its iPhones, which is especially likely to boost the group of pick-and-shovel plays, according to Stifel.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 1 May 2026
This is a pick-and-shovel play with accelerating demand.
—Sasirekha Subramanian, Forbes.com, 24 Feb. 2026
The biggest beneficiaries here aren’t only the flashy tech giants but also the pick-and-shovel players: processor makers, cooling system vendors, and the unsung heroes of database architecture etc.
—Kjartan Rist, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
The core operation and a smattering of pick-and-shovel prospects mined the surface gold that was easily extracted by hand from exposed late Cretaceous-period rocks that shed bits of precious minerals in flakes, nuggets and dust.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 26 Jan. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pick-and-shovel
Adjective
-
During a particularly challenging episode with her mental health, Halverson said, his mother went to stay with her sister in Wisconsin.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Perhaps my teen years and college (particularly the latter) would have not been so challenging emotionally, academically and socially.—
Sahaj Kaur Kohli,
Washington Post,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Building the program had proved difficult.—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
Sindcom 14-Piece Food Storage Containers Set The pantry is one of the most difficult places to organize thanks to boxes of cereal, pasta, baking ingredients, and more scattered about.—
Kelsey Fredricks,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
Management has partly attributed the membership slowdown to tougher comparisons from a year earlier, but there’s more to the story.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
28 May 2026
-
The California Assembly on Thursday overwhelming voted in favor of a bill that would prohibit children under 16 years old from having a social media account, setting up what is likely to continue to be a tough battle over the coming months.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
For decades, the legal profession has maintained strict boundaries around who can provide services in the form of licenses that require professionals to undergo significant schooling and rigorous testing.—
Robert Scott,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
Every article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors.—
John Csiszar,
CNBC,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Despite his lack of both clothing and confidence, the Wolf eventually found his way to the Master of Life, who was also inspiring but demanding.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
That is where the conversation becomes more demanding.—
Gregory Shahnovsky,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
But the real joy here is the wine list, which is stocked with everything from hard-to-find and private-order bottles to biodynamic selections, organic Burgundies, and orange wines.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
-
Murphy actually got her hands on all five shots in the shootout as Karnezis’ hard liner deflected off her and into the net.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
The reigning Super Bowl MVP was brought aboard as the Chiefs look to reestablish a formidable, dangerous run game.—
Pete Sweeney
May 22,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
-
Pitt nabbed the iconic part, which Clooney wasn't thrilled about, but what followed was a formidable friendship that has continued on- and off-screen.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
That’s a lot of complicated, and at times conflicting, objectives to try to balance.—
Steven D. Reske,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
So, the story is getting more complicated because more people are telling it, but also society is dealing with new ideas around environmentalism and second-wave feminism.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pick-and-shovel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pick-and-shovel. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
