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

The white smoke can only go up when one of the cardinals receives a 72-vote majority, and shepherding this bunch of squabbling, power-hungry backstabbers to that number is going to require a herculean feat of delicate diplomacy, maybe even an act of God or two.

From Los Angeles Times

Watson disturbs us not only because he turns to evil but because an extraordinary leader’s earnest, Herculean attempt to right the world’s wrongs comes up short.

From Slate

But I was wearing heels and makeup and I’d blown out my hair in an effort that had felt Herculean ever since COVID.

From Los Angeles Times

Fortunately, thanks to the Herculean efforts of election officials, ballots got mailed out on time.

From Slate

Kicking that addiction is a Herculean task—but not an impossible one.

From Slate