backbreaking

Or back-break·ing

[bak-brey-king]

adjective

1. demanding great effort, endurance, etc.; exhausting.

   a backbreaking job.

backbreaking

/ ˈbækˌbreɪkɪŋ /

adjective

1. demanding great effort; exhausting

Other Word Forms

• backbreaker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of backbreaking¹

First recorded in 1780–90; back ¹ + break + -ing ²

Example Sentences

But backbreaking mistakes continued to mar the Trojans on both sides of the ball.

From Los Angeles Times

Proaño said the idea that “backbreaking work in some of the worst conditions” could be replaced by automation or by people receiving Medicaid is simply not a realistic plan.

From Los Angeles Times

From quarry workers to weavers, welders to tailors, the pictures highlight the diverse, backbreaking work undertaken by the estimated 400 million labourers in India.

From BBC

“It was gruelling, backbreaking work. It was filthy.”

From BBC

I really do love it in a sick way because it’s hard, backbreaking work to do — showrunning and executive producing and fighting for every story and all of that.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arduous 
• exhausting 
• grueling 
• laborious