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 organize the office without any cooperation felt like 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

Reserve this phrase for tasks that are not merely 'hard', but specifically circular or repetitive—where finishing the task simply means you must start over immediately.

Common error

Do not use "a sisyphean task" when you mean a job requires massive strength or effort but is ultimately achievable. A "herculean task" is difficult but can be successfully finished; a "a sisyphean task" is defined by its inherent inability to be completed once and for all.

How to use

Learn how to use "a sisyphean task" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

In a sentence, "a sisyphean task" acts as a noun phrase. It is most frequently used after linking verbs (e.g., "is", "seems", "feels like") to characterize a specific situation. Ludwig AI shows that it serves as a powerful metaphorical descriptor to explain why a project is failing despite intense effort.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

12%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Social Media

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The expression "a sisyphean task" remains one of the most evocative ways to describe labor that is doomed to repeat. Ludwig AI data indicates that this phrase is a favorite among journalists for describing complex issues like climate change cleanup, regulatory compliance and political negotiation. Unlike a "herculean task", which celebrates the hero's strength to overcome, a "a sisyphean task" highlights the tragedy of effort without progress. For writers, it is an essential tool for conveying frustration with systems that seem designed to fail or reset, provided they remember the mandatory capitalization of the adjective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a futile endeavor

A formal and broad synonym for any task that is incapable of producing a result.

a circular effort

Highlights the repetitive nature of the task where the end leads back to the beginning.

an endless struggle

A literal description of a task that lacks the specific mythological or circular connotation.

spinning one's wheels

Focuses on the expenditure of energy without achieving any movement or traction.

a fool's errand

Implies the task is pointless specifically because it is based on a lack of wisdom or a prank.

treading water

Describes maintaining one's current position through great effort but without making forward progress.

an uphill battle

Emphasizes extreme difficulty and resistance without necessarily implying the task is impossible or circular.

a lost cause

Suggests that the effort is directed toward something that has already been decided as a failure.

tilting at windmills

Refers to fighting imaginary enemies or engaging in futile attacks on noble but misguided grounds.

a thankless task

Focuses on the lack of recognition or reward for the labor rather than the repetitive nature.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "a sisyphean task"?

It refers to a task that is both extremely laborious and ultimately futile. It comes from the myth of Sisyphus, who was condemned to roll a boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down every time it reached the top.

Is "a sisyphean task" formal or informal?

It is generally considered a neutral to formal idiom. It appears frequently in high-quality publications like "The New York Times" and "The Economist".

Should I capitalize "sisyphean"?

Yes, you should always capitalize it as "Sisyphean". Proper adjectives derived from names (eponyms) require capitalization in standard English.

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

You might use alternatives like "a futile endeavor", "an endless struggle", or "spinning one's wheels" depending on how formal you want to be.