as in effort
the active use of energy in producing a result
with a little polish and a lot of elbow grease, I was able to make the old silver teapot shine again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of elbow grease
Spare yourself some elbow grease and invest in this rechargeable set for all your bottle cleaning needs.
—
Pamela Brill, Parents, 7 Apr. 2026
Thankfully, this handy tool provides a boost of elbow grease.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 5 Apr. 2026
Just a small amount of elbow grease lifts dandelions, thistles, and other kinds of pesky taproot weeds in seconds.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Mar. 2026
Other things to know before cleaning grout Cleaning tile grout is a laborious process that involves elbow grease, squatting and reaching.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elbow grease
Pamela Brill, Parents, 7 Apr. 2026
Thankfully, this handy tool provides a boost of elbow grease.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 5 Apr. 2026
Just a small amount of elbow grease lifts dandelions, thistles, and other kinds of pesky taproot weeds in seconds.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Mar. 2026
Other things to know before cleaning grout Cleaning tile grout is a laborious process that involves elbow grease, squatting and reaching.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elbow grease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elbow grease
Noun
-
Jessica Chmielewski, Colleen Gartlan and Ella Riordan led a strong defensive effort in front of Noone.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The effort will focus on solutions that can be adapted elsewhere in the world, such as sustainable finance, digital innovation and workforce development.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Full Moon moves through your 10th House of Visibility, bringing attention to your role, direction, and how others see your work.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
-
Dameron’s work has appeared in Kweli Journal, Los Angeles Review of Books, The Rumpus, and elsewhere.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Iran’s political leadership has been at pains to dispel reports of infighting and to project a unified approach to the country’s military objectives and negotiating strategy.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The pressures of fame and the pains of Michael’s brand of friendlessness are barely explored, beyond the requisite scenes of screaming fans crowding outside the family estate and a terrified Michael attempting to get away from them (while still politely waving).—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elbow grease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elbow%20grease. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
