Sisyphus
noun
Sis·y·phus
ˈsi-sə-fəs 
: a legendary king of Corinth condemned eternally to repeatedly roll a heavy rock up a hill in Hades only to have it roll down again as it nears the top
Examples of Sisyphus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Every time Sisyphus neared the crest, the rock rolled back down to the bottom.
—
Bryan West, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024
Surviving birds, making their way back to the roof, got caught and tunnelled again; think Sisyphus but with bullets.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2023
In a compelling essay, the French existentialist Albert Camus argued that Sisyphus' defiant embrace of his fate transformed his labors into a source of meaning — and even joy.
—William Falk, The Week, 2 Sep. 2023
Paul would be some form of Sisyphus pushing the boulder up a hill in the underworld, and perhaps Danny is the reason why the boulder keeps coming down.
—Max Gao, Harper's BAZAAR, 28 Apr. 2023
The Candle Has Been Burnt At Both Ends As the myth of Sisyphus reveals, enduring suffering begets an unrelenting toll.
—David Walcott, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2023
The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus (Vintage: $15) 9.
—The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2023
Kevin Hayden, the Sisyphus of Suffolk County, says his people will keep pushing the boulder that is gun violence up the city on a hill.
—Globe Columnist, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Mar. 2023
The Sisyphus Session adds mental toughness to that mix.
—Mario Fraioli, Outside Online, 24 Sep. 2021
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.
Bryan West, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024
Surviving birds, making their way back to the roof, got caught and tunnelled again; think Sisyphus but with bullets.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2023
In a compelling essay, the French existentialist Albert Camus argued that Sisyphus' defiant embrace of his fate transformed his labors into a source of meaning — and even joy.
—William Falk, The Week, 2 Sep. 2023
Paul would be some form of Sisyphus pushing the boulder up a hill in the underworld, and perhaps Danny is the reason why the boulder keeps coming down.
—Max Gao, Harper's BAZAAR, 28 Apr. 2023
The Candle Has Been Burnt At Both Ends As the myth of Sisyphus reveals, enduring suffering begets an unrelenting toll.
—David Walcott, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2023
The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus (Vintage: $15) 9.
—The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2023
Kevin Hayden, the Sisyphus of Suffolk County, says his people will keep pushing the boulder that is gun violence up the city on a hill.
—Globe Columnist, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Mar. 2023
The Sisyphus Session adds mental toughness to that mix.
—Mario Fraioli, Outside Online, 24 Sep. 2021
Articles Related to Sisyphus
Dictionary Entries Near Sisyphus
Cite this Entry
“Sisyphus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Sisyphus. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share