Backbreaking — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈbak-ˌbrā-kiŋ/ back·break·ing

Meaning & Definition of Backbreaking

Backbreaking (adjective)

  1. extremely arduous, exhausting, or demoralizing

Backbreaking (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. requiring considerable physical or mental effort

    "modern machinery has significantly eased the backbreaking work of farming"

    similar: arduous, Augean, challenging, demanding, difficult, effortful, exacting, formidable, grueling, hard, heavy, hellacious, herculean, killer, laborious, moiling, murderous, pick-and-shovel, rigorous, rough, rugged, severe, stiff, strenuous, sweaty, tall, testing, toilsome, tough, uphill
    related: abstract, abstruse, complex, complicated, elusive, hairy, insoluble, intricate, involved, knotty, opaque, problematic, recondite, serious, spiny, stubborn, thorny, ticklish, tricky, bruising, burdensome, exhausting, labored, onerous, oppressive, stressful, taxing, tight, trying, annoying, bothersome, distressing, irksome, troublesome, vexatious, grievous, grim, strict, stringent, brutal, cruel, inhuman, painful
    opposite: cheap, easy, effortless, facile, light, mindless, simple, soft, undemanding
    near: achievable, clear, doable, elementary, manageable, uncomplicated, comforting, gentle, painless, relaxed, smooth, soothing, accessible, friendly, idiotproof, user-friendly

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Backbreaking

The most common words with a similar meaning to Backbreaking:

arduous, Augean, challenging, demanding, difficult, effortful, exacting, formidable, grueling, hard, heavy, hellacious, herculean, killer, laborious, moiling, murderous, pick-and-shovel, rigorous, rough, rugged, severe, stiff, strenuous, sweaty, tall, testing, toilsome, tough, uphill

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Backbreaking

Words with the opposite meaning of Backbreaking:

cheap, easy, effortless, facile, light, mindless, simple, soft, undemanding

Related Words for Backbreaking

abstract, abstruse, complex, complicated, elusive, hairy, insoluble, intricate, involved, knotty, opaque, problematic, recondite, serious, spiny, stubborn, thorny, ticklish, tricky, bruising, burdensome, exhausting, labored, onerous, oppressive, stressful, taxing, tight, trying, annoying

Near Antonyms of Backbreaking

achievable, clear, doable, elementary, manageable, uncomplicated, comforting, gentle, painless, relaxed, smooth, soothing, accessible, friendly, idiotproof, user-friendly

Word Forms of Backbreaking

Derived words: backbreaker (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Backbreaking

First known use: 1766

Frequently Asked Questions about Backbreaking

What does "Backbreaking" mean?

"Backbreaking" means extremely arduous, exhausting, or demoralizing. As an adjective, it is defined as: extremely arduous, exhausting, or demoralizing.

What is another word for "Backbreaking"?

Other words for "Backbreaking" include arduous, Augean, challenging, demanding, difficult, effortful, exacting and formidable. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Backbreaking" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Backbreaking"?

There are 73 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Backbreaking". Common alternatives include arduous, Augean, challenging, demanding, difficult, effortful, exacting, formidable, grueling and hard.

What is the opposite of "Backbreaking"?

Antonyms of "Backbreaking" include cheap, easy, effortless, facile, light, mindless, simple and soft. Near antonyms include achievable, clear, doable and elementary.

How do you use "Backbreaking" in a sentence?

Examples of "Backbreaking" in a sentence: "modern machinery has significantly eased the backbreaking work of farming".

Is "Backbreaking" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Backbreaking" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Backbreaking"?

"Backbreaking" is pronounced /ˈbak-ˌbrā-kiŋ/ and divided into syllables as back·break·ing.

What is the origin of the word "Backbreaking"?

First known use: 1766.