herculean

[hur-kyuh-lee-uhn, hur-kyoo-lee-uhn]

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

/ ˌhɜːkjʊˈliːən /

adjective

1. requiring tremendous effort, strength, etc

   a herculean task

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of herculean¹

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

Example Sentences

It also takes on the herculean task of merging many of the ongoing tones and deepest themes of the project.

From Los Angeles Times

Convincing Columbia Records to support his new work was a herculean struggle for Springsteen.

From Los Angeles Times

Getting there required a herculean effort, the Dodgers digging out of a big early hole that had been entirely of their own making.

From Los Angeles Times

If, as reports suggest, a minerals agreement isn't enough to win the Trump administration over, a herculean diplomatic effort will be required as well.

From BBC

And while groups such as the Ocean Conservancy sent letters to Newsom and CalRecycle, congratulating them on the herculean achievement, industry stakeholders were quietly sending a very different message: Hold off.

From Los Angeles Times