effortful

adjective

ef·​fort·​ful ˈe-fərt-fəl How to pronounce effortful (audio)
Synonyms of effortfulnext
: showing or requiring effort
effortfully
ˈe-fərt-fə-lē How to pronounce effortful (audio)
adverb
effortfulness
ˈe-fərt-fəl-nəs How to pronounce effortful (audio)
noun

Synonyms of effortful

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Examples of effortful in a Sentence

the book's abstruse subject matter and dense prose make for effortful reading
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The clowning might be a little too effortful. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026 Now came the surprise of my effortful steps, the shock of how unyielding the dress’s shell was, as if I were being held in place by a firm hand. — Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026 What a transformation that would’ve been, of the effortful, unchanging days. — Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 The same goes for anyone who finds visualization mentally effortful in a way that feels alerting rather than relaxing. — Angela Haupt, Time, 5 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for effortful

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of effortful was circa 1895

Browse Nearby Words

effort
effortful
effortless
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Cite this Entry

“Effortful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effortful. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on effortful

Nglish: Translation of effortful for Spanish Speakers

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