taking a toll
- wearing downGradually weakening through persistence
- exhaustingDepleting one's stamina
- drainingDepleting one's reserves
- strainingExerting intense effort
- erodingGradually wearing away
depleting · weathering · grinding · taxing · burden · heavy · fatigue · stress · damage · cost · price · consequences · suffering · scars · weight · wreckage · burnout · attrition
effect on condition
taking a tollrestoring
Returning to original condition
rejuvenating · healing · revitalizing · strengthening · replenishing
burden vs. relief
taking a tollalleviating
Making less severe
unburdening · lifting spirits · freeing up · paying dividends · bearing fruit
cost vs. benefit
taking a tollpaying dividends
Generating positive returns
paying off · bearing fruit · giving back · enriching · adding value