painstaking

noun pains·tak·ing \ ˈpān-ˌstā-kiŋ \

Definition of painstaking

:the action of taking pains :diligent care and effort

painstaking research

a painstaking process

First Known Use of painstaking

1538

painstaking

adjective

Definition of painstaking

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

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painstakingly

play \ˈpān-ˌstā-kiŋ-lē\ adverb

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Examples of painstaking in a Sentence

The book describes the election process in painstaking detail.
she was always painstaking about her work

Recent Examples of painstaking from the Web

Though the circumstances and the nature of the regimes of North Korea and Iran are different, the same painstaking multilateral diplomacy that produced the deal with Tehran will be needed to resolve the stand-off with Pyongyang peacefully.

— ishaan tharoor, Washington Post, "North Korea’s calculated chaos ought to make Trump think again on Iran," 30 Aug. 2017
In 1956, Shelton developed the Premature Infant Training Program at Michael Reese to help other nurses learn the painstaking procedures used in the around-the-clock care of premature infants.

— joan giangrasse kates, chicagotribune.com, "Mary Shelton, nurse who worked with premature babies, dies at 92," 28 Aug. 2017
But the painstaking and heartbreaking work of clearing streets, going door to door, assessing damage — and finding victims — has not yet begun.

— julie turkewitz, richard pÉrez-peÑa and jack healy, New York Times, "Deluged Texas Braces for More Rain, and Years of Recovery," 28 Aug. 2017
A painstaking, trowel-by-trowel dig unearthed three small pine coffins – and shocking news.

— jeff gammage, Philly.com, "At last, the Indian children have come home," 18 Aug. 2017
In the twilight of his life, the figurative curator is now a literal one, planning in painstaking detail recreations of what was once and never will be again.

— james mcauley, Town & Country, "Is Pierre Bergé the Most Powerful Man In France?," 16 Aug. 2017
In the Murat House, circa 1790, a painstaking renovation uncovered original interior coquina walls.

— nancy moreland, Orlando Signature, "Florida's New Resorts," 28 July 2017
Congressional Democrats took these warnings seriously, and passed their reforms through a painstaking, regular process — first in the House, and then in the Senate, which mustered the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster in December, 2009.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Trumpcare Is the Worst-Designed Social Policy in History," 24 July 2017
Through painstaking diplomacy, the Obama administration and its international partners negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to halt the Iranian nuclear program.

— andrew exum, The Atlantic, "If Trump Undermines the Iran Deal," 22 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'painstaking.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.