Drudger

A 'drudger' is an individual, often with a somewhat negative connotation, who performs tedious, repetitive, and unpleasant tasks or work. This person is typically characterized by their persistence in labor despite hardship, the often relentless nature of their duties, and the lack of intrinsic reward from the tasks. The term implies someone who toils diligently, perhaps even slavishly, at menial jobs, often lacking opportunities for creativity or advancement. The drudger's work may contribute to a larger project or system, but their role is characterized by its unrelenting nature. It is a role often marked by physical or mental strain and a sense of being trapped in routine.

Drudger meaning with examples

• The construction site employed numerous drudgers, tirelessly mixing cement and hauling bricks under the scorching sun. They formed the backbone of the project, but their efforts often went unnoticed and unappreciated. Each day was filled with back-breaking labor, each hour a testament to their resilience. The drudgers worked without complaint, driven by the necessity of earning a living, and the desire to complete each task to be better paid.
• In the gold rush era, many hopeful prospectors became drudgers, panning tirelessly for meager flakes of gold. Their days were filled with relentless repetition, the same movements performed over and over in the hopes of a strike. Many drudgers ended up with minimal riches, having spent all of their energies to make a better living. Success was rare, but the lure of fortune kept them toiling nonetheless.
• The factory floor was populated by drudgers, operating machinery and performing assembly-line tasks with mechanical precision. Their world was a sea of repetitive movements, each piece of a whole that they rarely got to see. Many drudgers, though exhausted, could perform their tasks in a semi-state of auto-pilot. Each drudger contributed to the output of thousands of products.
• As the writer's life progressed, he was surrounded by drudgers who tirelessly cleaned his home, cooked his food, and saw to his every personal need, however trivial it may seem to an outsider. He would often complain of how uninspired they were, that each drudger lacked any form of creativity, making them ideal at their repetitive chores. But their work allowed him to be unbothered to write for hours each day.