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
But for that swing to be such a huge whiff, and then to be on stage playing your own protagonist while the excitement of the audience audibly wanes around you for two laborious hours … That’s rough, buddy.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Growing vanilla bean pods is a laborious process—which means the beans, seeds, and any products made with them (including extracts and ice creams) are understandably pricier than imitation versions.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025
Similar to the way Madueke drove at his man without hesitation, those first-time strikes were very welcome after last season, when many actions in and around the penalty area felt a bit too laborious.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Now, humanity stands at a pivotal juncture as the laborious, expensive and high-stakes process of attempting to convert such grand visions into reality is actually underway.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for laborious
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Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Growing vanilla bean pods is a laborious process—which means the beans, seeds, and any products made with them (including extracts and ice creams) are understandably pricier than imitation versions.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025
Similar to the way Madueke drove at his man without hesitation, those first-time strikes were very welcome after last season, when many actions in and around the penalty area felt a bit too laborious.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Now, humanity stands at a pivotal juncture as the laborious, expensive and high-stakes process of attempting to convert such grand visions into reality is actually underway.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for laborious
Cite this Entry
“Laborious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laborious. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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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