What is a Sisyphean task?

A Sisyphean task refers to a laborious and futile effort that seems endless and ultimately unachievable. The term originates from the Greek myth of Sisyphus, a king condemned to roll a boulder up a hill only for it to roll back down each time he neared the top. This metaphor highlights the absurdity and frustration of undertaking a task that offers no real progress or reward. It often symbolizes situations where one’s efforts are rendered meaningless despite continual hard work.