Added 8 October 2026 backbreaking adjective Categories: Describing WordsRare Words adjective ! Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. More about backbreaking at Wordnik → Where our words come from → Characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort. worked their arduous way up the mining valley Origin From back + breaking. From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA) Related Words: toilsomelaboriouslabouriousarduousgruellingpunishingeffortfulhardgruelingheavyback-breakingbreakback Back to today's word