backbreaking

American  

[bak-brey-king] / ˈbækˌbreɪ kɪŋ /

Or back-breaking

adjective

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

   a backbreaking job.

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backbreaking British  

/ ˈbækˌbreɪkɪŋ /

adjective

1. demanding great effort; exhausting

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Other Word Forms

• backbreaker noun

Etymology

Origin of backbreaking

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

Example Sentences

But the backbreaking work left behind—often in agriculture or coal mines—was worse.

From The Wall Street Journal

Residents have now started the backbreaking task of cleaning away the thick layer of mud, and picking through the wreckage for anything that can be used.

From BBC

He also cut the hay at the end of summer, initially trying with a scythe - Poldark-style - but ultimately finding a small tractor does the trick in a less backbreaking way.

From BBC

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

Related Words

• arduous
• exhausting
• grueling
• laborious