effortful

[ef-ert-fuhl]

adjective

1. marked by effort or exertion; labored.

Other Word Forms

• effortfully adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of effortful¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; effort + -ful

Example Sentences

A 2021 meta-analysis of the impact of videogames found that some games have educational benefits, but heavy gaming can also “lead to addiction and impair ability to focus on effortful goal oriented behavior.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For all that, the performances were nonetheless on the stiff side, the famously virtuosic orchestra effortfully coming to terms with the unfamiliar.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The film is a feat of maximalist and moody production design and cinematography, but the tedious and overwrought script renders every character two-dimensional, despite the effortful acting and teary pronunciations.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Either they’re not actually funny, or they get too in their head about being perceived as funny as they think they are, and the result is a guest-host turn that feels too effortful.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It is an effortfully attractive place with well-kept painted brick homes and clipped lawns.

Read more on Salon