painstaking

1 of 2

adjective

pains·​tak·​ing ˈpān-ˌstā-kiŋ 

: taking pains : expending, showing, or involving diligent care and effort

painstaking research

painstaking tasks

painstaking accuracy

painstakingly

ˈpān-ˌstā-kiŋ-lē 

adverb

painstaking

2 of 2

noun

: the action of taking pains : diligent care and effort

… greater painstaking to achieve incidental verisimilitude and accuracy of detail …

—Times Literary Supplement

Synonyms of painstaking

Adjective

• meticulous
• careful
• conscientious
• loving
• diligent

Examples of painstaking in a Sentence

Adjective

The book describes the election process in painstaking detail.

she was always painstaking about her work

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Python removal programs remain the most effective way to slow the invasion, but finding the snakes is painstaking, time-eating work. — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

Each element on the plate is laid by hand with painstaking precision, echoing the artisanal spirit Tiffany is known for. — Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026

Those offer valuable clues to how a document was drafted and how its creators thought, but recovering and interpreting them is painstaking, specialized work. — Steven Melendez, Scientific American, 2 July 2026

Especially impressive is this newly reborn five-star hotel, which has been lovingly restored to its Belle Epoque glory over a painstaking two-year process. — Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 19 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1685, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1538, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for painstaking

• awaking
• backbreaking
• bookmaking
• breathtaking
• brickmaking
• caretaking
• dressmaking
• filmmaking
• forsaking
• glassmaking
• groundbreaking
• haymaking

Kids Definition

painstaking

adjective

pains·​tak·​ing

ˈpān-ˌstā-kiŋ

: taking or showing great care and effort

a painstaking search

painstakingly

-kiŋ-lē

adverb