herculean

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'herculean' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an effort or task that is unusually challenging, requiring great strength and effort. For example: "She faced a herculean task of completing the project in a single week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So Mr Tsipras continues to be faced with the herculean task of having to balance democratic expectations (his campaign promises) with European realities.

The Guardian - Opinion

For here the reader is offered not some clever and arresting adaptation of the latest novelty in psychology or biology to politics but a large, measured, tranquil, and philosophical examination of history by a writer who adds to the rare intellectual equipment needed for so Herculean a task the advantage of experience of public life and contact with foreign scholars and politicians.

The Guardian - Books

The last polls had predicted that the mayor would be re-elected with a comfortable margin and despite Mr Garcia's Herculean efforts to get last-minute and undecided voters to cast their ballots for him, he was.

The Economist

It was a small contribution to the country's herculean post-independence task of building a unified national identity.

The Economist

He lists four "Herculean" challenges facing the country.

The Economist

Yet, despite his own "Herculean" efforts, the plan eventually adopted by world leaders accomplished "little or nothing" of what America wanted, he says.

The Economist

Together they look Herculean.

The Economist

The most famous image, however, was that of the 97-pound weakling who, after having sand kicked in his face at the beach, employs Dynamic-Tension to build a herculean physique and to challenge the beach bully.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a herculean effort, Johnston pulled his forces together and, with 40,000 men, suddenly struck a like number of unsuspecting Federals on April 6.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Principia Mathematica is a herculean attempt to demonstrate mathematically what The Principles of Mathematics had argued for philosophically, namely that mathematics is a branch of logic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Chŏlmŭn nal ŭi ch'osang (1981; A Portrait of My Youth), a trilogy of novellas, recorded a young man's Herculean efforts to overcome his romantic nihilism and his impulse to commit suicide.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "herculean" to vividly describe tasks or efforts that demand exceptional strength, endurance, or difficulty. It adds a sense of grandeur and scale to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "herculean" for tasks that are merely challenging or difficult. Reserve it for situations where the effort is truly extraordinary and requires immense strength or endurance.

Linguistic Context

The word "herculean" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something of extraordinary strength, size, or difficulty. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment, which confirms its correct usage and applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "herculean" is a powerful adjective used to describe something requiring extraordinary strength, effort, or size. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. While versatile, "herculean" is best reserved for situations genuinely demanding immense effort. Ludwig's examples illustrate its prominence in News & Media and Encyclopedias, signifying its value in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "monumental task" or "formidable challenge" to avoid overuse and maintain stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

colossal effort

Stresses the amount of energy and work needed.

arduous task

Highlights the difficulty and labor involved.

formidable challenge

Focuses on the difficulty and potential obstacles.

extraordinary feat

Focuses on the remarkable achievement.

immense undertaking

Highlights the scale and complexity of the project.

massive endeavor

Implies a large-scale and ambitious project.

laborious undertaking

Stresses the time and effort required.

monumental task

Emphasizes the size and importance of the task rather than the strength required.

titanic struggle

Emphasizes the intensity and scope of the challenge.

back-breaking work

Emphasizes the physical toll of the work.

FAQs

How can I use "herculean" in a sentence?

You can use "herculean" to describe tasks or efforts that require immense strength, size, or difficulty. For example, "Climbing Mount Everest was a "herculean" effort".

What's the difference between "herculean" and "difficult"?

"Difficult" describes something challenging, while "herculean" implies a task of extraordinary difficulty and requiring immense strength or effort. Herculean tasks are far beyond merely "difficult".

What can I say instead of "herculean"?

You can use alternatives like "monumental task", "immense undertaking", or "formidable challenge", depending on the specific context.

Is "herculean task" a cliché?

"Herculean task" is a common phrase, but not necessarily a cliché. Its impact depends on the context and how creatively it's used. Overusing it can diminish its effect, so consider alternatives for variety.