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 is a herculean work,” says geneticist Jorge Dubcovsky of the University of California, Davis, who wasn’t involved in the study.

From Science Magazine

“His herculean self-control had failed him, letting the dark forces he had kept under tight wraps peek out, dark forces that would have shocked anyone who knew sunny Jim.”

From Los Angeles Times

These are the herculean efforts Republicans have to go to in order to keep Trump from lashing out in a situation where he's required to sit down and shut up.

From Salon

“We want others to follow this example, if possible, to help us with this really herculean task.”

From New York Times

Whether it’s going to bed before midnight, eating broccoli, or dealing with your finances, doing the “right” thing can sometimes feel like a herculean effort.

From Seattle Times