Sisyphean

[sis-uh-fee-uhn]

adjective

1. of or relating to Sisyphus.

2. endless and unavailing, as labor or a task.

Sisyphean

/ ˌsɪsɪˈfiːən /

adjective

1. relating to Sisyphus

2. actually or seemingly endless and futile

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sisyphean¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Greek Sīsýphe(ios), Sī́syph(ios) + -eios adjective suffix; Sisyphus, -an

Example Sentences

Who knows how long the tenacious tabby would have continued with this Sisyphean task had Rumi not stepped in?

From Salon

It’s impossible to determine how many people are engaged in this Sisyphean chase.

From Los Angeles Times

Alas, Autumn’s struggle to leave town becomes Sisyphean.

From Los Angeles Times

Keeping track of those with criminal records and reputations for underhanded ethics whom Trump is appointing is a Sisyphean task.

From Salon

Each of the 911 calls was the start of a Sisyphean routine.

From Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What does Sisyphean mean?

Sisyphean describes a task as seemingly endless and futile—you keep doing it but it never gets done.The word comes from the name of Sisyphus, a character in Greek mythology who was punished by being forced to continuously roll a boulder up a steep hill. Every time he was just about to get it to the top, the boulder would roll back down, and he’d have to start all over again.Because it’s based on a name, Sisyphean is often capitalized, but not always. It is especially used in the phrase Sisyphean task.Example: With a family of six, laundry is a Sisyphean task—it seems there is always another load to wash.