as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
the book's abstruse subject matter and dense prose make for effortful reading
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Recent Examples of effortful
Instead of simplifying the process, Whole Foods found a way to make checking out with an alcohol purchase significantly more effortful.
—
Roger Dooley, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
Moreover, job candidates may get turned off by companies that require lengthy, effortful assessment processes.
—Elaine Pulakos, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
He’s introduced as an anxious father but then his particular behaviors — a hyper-attention to detail, the effortful attempt to control his jaw muscles, the tenseness of his smile — become signs of a more malevolent violence.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Aug. 2024
Tatum shot poorly, at times seeming stiffened by nerves; Brown, consistently effortful, sporadically dynamic, came to the rescue.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for effortful 
Roger Dooley, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
Moreover, job candidates may get turned off by companies that require lengthy, effortful assessment processes.
—Elaine Pulakos, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
He’s introduced as an anxious father but then his particular behaviors — a hyper-attention to detail, the effortful attempt to control his jaw muscles, the tenseness of his smile — become signs of a more malevolent violence.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Aug. 2024
Tatum shot poorly, at times seeming stiffened by nerves; Brown, consistently effortful, sporadically dynamic, came to the rescue.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for effortful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effortful
Adjective
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Simplifying Complexity Through Narratives Leaders often need to communicate complex strategies or concepts, which can be difficult for teams to fully grasp.—
Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
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The emotional weight of losing that independence is difficult to quantify, but its impact is profound.—
John Hope Bryant,
TIME,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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While the victory was routine, their goalkeeping situation and transfer dealings are more challenging.—
Emile Nuh,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
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Though bucks are known to get their antlers tangled up during fights on rare occasions, this predicament was particularly challenging — and called for very steady aim, according to wildlife officials.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Like many large employers, the agency proactively seeks qualified candidates from as many sources as possible, all of whom must meet rigorous qualifications that of course will vary by position.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
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These suppliers undergo rigorous vetting processes and must meet safety standards to prevent potential hazards.—
Tim Bajarin,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Bridges finished with 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting from the field against his old team, and Anunoby scored 20 points on 8-of-18 shooting from the field to go with tough defense on Johnson, who shot an abysmal 6-of-20 from the field for 16 points.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
22 Jan. 2025
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Whether you’re drawn to stories of resilience, advocacy, or how laughter and love can help us through life’s toughest moments, this film will leave you inspired and hopeful.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Today’s shoppers are more demanding, more savvy and more cost-conscious than ever before.—
Gary Drenik,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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Friends and sources told PEOPLE at the time that although Silva was excited for Costner’s Hollywood ascendance, their relationship became more difficult due to his increasingly demanding schedule.—
Brendan Le,
People.com,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
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Whether those numbers are an overstatement, or possibly an understatement, is hard to say.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
Thesaurus Entries Near effortful
Cite this Entry
“Effortful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effortful. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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