a Sisyphean task

USAGE SUMMARY

"a Sisyphean task" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a task that is endless and futile, where effort does not lead to success. Example: "Trying to keep the office organized with so many people is a Sisyphean task." Alternative expressions include "an endless struggle," "a futile endeavor," and "a never-ending chore."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a Sisyphean task.

The New York Times

Making clothing factories safer is a Sisyphean task.

The New York Times

Getting schoolchildren to stop using profanity seems a Sisyphean task.

The New York Times

SUNDAY'S PUZZLE — Jeff Chen has set himself a Sisyphean task today in more ways than one.

The New York Times

It's not a Sisyphean task to be scrupulous about using personal e-mail for nongovernment missives.

The New York Times

A Sisyphean task perhaps but worth a go all the same.

The Economist

Making it past Le Baron's door is a Sisyphean task for those without connections.

The New York Times

Staying healthy on the campaign trail can seem like a Sisyphean task.

The New York Times

Shoveling felt like a Sisyphean task, as new snow and ice kept coating the cleared sidewalks.

The New York Times

And once nonnative species do begin to take over, stopping them can be a Sisyphean task.

The New York Times - Magazine

One cannot escape drone status without desperately scrabbling enough credits, a Sisyphean task.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase specifically when you want to emphasize that a task is not just hard, but that the progress made is inevitably lost or reset, requiring the worker to start over indefinitely.

Common error

Do not use 'a Sisyphean task' as a synonym for 'a very difficult but rewarding job'. While a "Herculean task" implies a massive challenge that can be overcome with great effort, a "a Sisyphean task" implies that success is impossible and the effort is fundamentally wasted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a Sisyphean task" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a predicate nominative or a direct object in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently used to characterize a situation rather than describe a physical action. The structure consists of the indefinite article 'a', the proper adjective 'Sisyphean' and the common noun 'task'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "a Sisyphean task" is a powerful idiomatic expression that remains highly relevant in modern English, particularly within high-level journalism and formal writing. As demonstrated by the extensive examples in Ludwig, it is the gold standard for describing work that is repetitive and doomed to failure. Writers should be careful to capitalize the adjective and distinguish it from a "Herculean task", which implies difficulty but potential success. Whether discussing climate change, bureaucratic red tape or household chores, this phrase provides a sophisticated way to express the frustration of wasted effort. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a grammatically correct and widely accepted term in professional circles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an endless struggle

Removes the mythological reference while maintaining the sense of continuous effort

a futile endeavor

Focuses more on the lack of result than the repetitive nature of the work

a never-ending chore

More informal and suggests the task is mundane rather than epic

an uphill battle

Emphasizes the difficulty and resistance faced rather than the repetitive cycle

a pointless exercise

Stronger emphasis on the complete lack of meaning or value in the task

a labor of Sisyphus

A more literal variation of the same mythological idiom

pushing water uphill

A vivid metaphorical alternative that highlights the impossibility of success

a fool's errand

Suggests the task is not only impossible but that the person doing it is misguided

tilting at windmills

Refers to a different literary trope (Don Quixote) focusing on attacking imaginary enemies

a Herculean task

Often confused but actually means a task requiring great strength rather than a futile one

FAQs

How do you use "a Sisyphean task" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe repetitive, fruitless work, such as: "Attempting to keep the beach perfectly clean during a storm proved to be "a Sisyphean task"." You might also consider using "an endless struggle" for a similar meaning.

Should Sisyphean be capitalized?

Yes, 'Sisyphean' should always be capitalized because it is a proper adjective derived from the name Sisyphus. Using a lowercase 's' is considered a spelling error in formal writing.

What is the difference between a Sisyphean task and a Herculean task?

A "a Sisyphean task" is one that can never be completed and is ultimately futile, whereas a "Herculean task" is extremely difficult and requires immense strength but can eventually be finished successfully.

What can I say instead of "a Sisyphean task"?

Depending on your context, you can use phrases like "a futile endeavor", "a never-ending chore", or "an uphill battle".