Herculean

[hur-kyuh-lee-uhn, hur-kyoo-lee-uhn] / ˌhɜr kyəˈli ən, hɜrˈkyu li ən /

ADJECTIVE

powerful, strong

Synonyms

WEAK

almighty backbreaking colossal courageous forceful gargantuan gigantic hard heroic huge impressive laborious mighty strenuous tough vigorous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Kitchens are stripped bare and routine grocery trips are recast as a Herculean effort to avoid plastic-laden products.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

And the cancellation process can require a Herculean effort.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Hats off to this Southern California “Sweeney Todd” and to La Mirada Theatre for undertaking this Herculean feat.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

Contrary to the fulminations of critics, they have faithfully implemented the law as expeditiously as possible given the Herculean effort involved.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

And then, through some Herculean effort of will, I made myself climb.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs

Vocabulary lists containing Herculean

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