laborious
adjective
la·bo·ri·ous
lə-ˈbȯr-ē-əs 
1
a
: involving, requiring, or characterized by hard and sustained effort : arduous
Overland travel was not an adventurous communal leap, but a laborious, individual trek.—
Daniel J. Boorstin
Daniel J. BoorstinMaking a telescope mirror is a long and laborious process.—David Devoss and Eric Sander
David Devoss and Eric Sander
b
: characterized by long, detailed elaboration : tedious
Much of the middle of the book is a laborious account of the scouring of the ocean floor that led to the discovery of the Titanic.—The Economist
The Economist2
: devoted to labor : industrious
We have the greatest riches, the greatest fertility, … the most laborious population.—Joseph Conrad
Joseph Conrad
laboriously
adverb
laboriousness
noun
Examples of laborious in a Sentence
a slow and laborious process
the volunteers have been commendably laborious in their cleanup of the beach
Recent Examples on the Web
The laborious process was a chance to connect with him.
—James Russell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Feb. 2026
Those forced to navigate laborious and time-consuming work documentation include veterans, people experiencing homelessness, young adults aging out of foster care, adults ages 54-64 and parents with children ages 13-18.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
Filing and legal fees to obtain an H-1B visa can amount to tens of thousands of dollars, said Karen Pollak, a Dallas immigration attorney who helps companies navigate the laborious application process.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
Obviously, John was a much more laborious process.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for laborious
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James Russell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Feb. 2026
Those forced to navigate laborious and time-consuming work documentation include veterans, people experiencing homelessness, young adults aging out of foster care, adults ages 54-64 and parents with children ages 13-18.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
Filing and legal fees to obtain an H-1B visa can amount to tens of thousands of dollars, said Karen Pollak, a Dallas immigration attorney who helps companies navigate the laborious application process.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
Obviously, John was a much more laborious process.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for laborious
Cite this Entry
“Laborious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laborious. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
laborious
adjective
la·bo·ri·ous
lə-ˈbōr-ē-əs
-ˈbȯr-
1
: devoted to work : industrious
2
: requiring hard effort
laboriously
adverb
laboriousness
noun
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