herculean

American  

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

adjective

1. requiring the great strength of a Hercules; very hard to perform.

   Digging the tunnel was a herculean task.

   Synonyms:

   formidable, onerous, arduous, prodigious

2. having enormous strength, courage, or size.

3. (initial capital letter) of or relating to Hercules or his labors.

---

herculean British  

/ ˌhɜːkjʊˈliːən /

adjective

1. requiring tremendous effort, strength, etc

   a herculean task

2. (sometimes capital) resembling Hercules in strength, courage, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of herculean

1590–1600; < Latin Hercule ( us ) of, belonging to Hercules + -an

Example Sentences

“It’s not been herculean, that’s for sure,” said Porter, 82, who spent more than 40 years with the company and last served as its vice president of engineering and operations.

From The Wall Street Journal

This made the search for the new and notable particularly herculean this year.

From The Wall Street Journal

He wasn’t coaxed into speaking at the team’s championship parade, but still received some of the day’s loudest ovations, the fan base recognizing the herculean contributions he provided both at and behind the plate.

From Los Angeles Times

Tyler Finkle, a structural engineer who has restored offshore lighthouses across the country, said that while restoration seems “like a herculean task,” it is doable.

From Los Angeles Times

That change is harder still in organizations rooted in old forms of predigital content delivery: changing form and content at the same time is herculean.

From The Wall Street Journal