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painstaking

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noun pains·tak·ing \ˈpān-ˌstā-kiŋ\

Definition of painstaking

  1. :  the action of taking pains :  diligent care and effort painstaking research a painstaking process

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1538

First Known Use of painstaking

1538

2

painstaking

adjective pains·tak·ing

Definition of painstaking

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

painstakingly

play \ˈpān-ˌstā-kiŋ-lē\ adverb

See painstaking defined for English-language learners

See painstaking defined for kids

Examples of painstaking in a Sentence

  1. The book describes the election process in painstaking detail.

  2. she was always painstaking about her work

Circa 1685

First Known Use of painstaking

circa 1685

painstaking Synonyms

Synonyms
careful, conscientious, fussy, loving, meticulous, scrupulous
Antonyms
careless
Related Words
assiduous, diligent, indefatigable, persevering, sedulous; exhaustive, thorough, thoroughgoing; alert, attentive, observant, vigilant, watchful; accurate, exact, precise, strict; critical, demanding, discriminating, exacting, fastidious, finicky, particular; cautious, chary, circumspect, gingerly, guarded, heedful, mindful, wary; deliberate, plodding, slow; studied, thoughtful; all-out, determined, dogged, intensive, patient, tenacious, tireless, zealous
Near Antonyms
cursory, halfhearted; heedless, inattentive, incautious, mindless, regardless, unguarded, unsafe, unwary; lax, neglectful, negligent, slipshod, sloppy, slovenly; imprecise; inaccurate, uncritical, undemanding, undiscriminating; bold, impetuous, rash, reckless; apathetic, indifferent, lackadaisical, lazy, lazyish

PAINSTAKING Defined for English Language Learners

painstaking

adjective

Definition of painstaking for English Language Learners

  • : showing or done with great care and effort

PAINSTAKING Defined for Kids

painstaking

play
adjective pains·tak·ing \ˈpān-ˌstā-kiŋ\

Definition of painstaking for Students

  1. :  taking or showing great care painstaking work

painstakingly

adverb

Learn More about painstaking

  1. See words that rhyme with painstaking Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for painstaking Spanish Central: Translation of painstaking Nglish: Translation of painstaking for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of painstaking for Arabic speakers

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Examples: painstaking in a Sentence