painstaking

1 of 2

adjective

pains·​tak·​ing ˈpān-ˌstā-kiŋ How to pronounce painstaking (audio)
: taking pains : expending, showing, or involving diligent care and effort
painstaking research
painstaking tasks
painstaking accuracy
painstakingly 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

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
In this elegiac history, Joyce presents a painstaking account of a way of life to which, until recently, the vast majority of humanity was bound. The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Scientists typically identify whales photo by photo, matching the tails in a painstaking process. Lauren Sommer, NPR, 29 Feb. 2024 Given that Smile Jamaica is one of the most famed music concerts in history, recreating the performance for One Love was a painstaking process for which the cast rose to the occasion. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 17 Feb. 2024 The central body of the $5-billion Europa Clipper arrived in June 2022 at the Pasadena campus of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the painstaking final assembly of components shipped from across the U.S. and Europe. Ronald D. White, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 Keeping track of the boats Tracking down derelict boat owners is a painstaking process. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 This painstaking method has changed the game and helped NCA stand out in such a crowded industry. Tyler Giroud, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 Now, the Darwin Project has virtually reassembled his library and its 7,400 titles after 18 years of painstaking research. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 17 Feb. 2024 It was found only after a dogged shipwreck hunter kept up the painstaking hunt. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2024
Noun
In 476 pages of complaints, prosecutors outlined in painstaking detail the small-bore corruption, which, in one case, also involved destruction of evidence — deleted text messages — and making false statements to investigators. Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024 So diverse, so considered, so expertly and painstaking curated and reported—and all packaged with punchy moving images and quick takeaways. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Dec. 2023 Laurie delves into the sense of place in Martinez’s painstaking and frankly delicious cooking, and his feelings about the country itself. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2023 Directed by Beyoncé, the film shows both onstage moments and the painstaking, behind-the-scenes process of pulling together the massive world tour. Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023 The sets have been replicated in painstaking detail, down to the Escher-esque staircases that lead contestants to each playing field. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2023 Achieving the perfect look requires painstaking experimentation with the company’s color lab. Chris Moody, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2023 Tattoo artists can spend hours inking your body in painstaking detail. Kevin J. Ryan, wsj.com, 2 Oct. 2023 Once you’ve been familiarized with the concept of small plates and sharing food, the waiter walks you through each section of the menu with painstaking care. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 5 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'painstaking.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1685, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1538, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of painstaking was in 1538

Dictionary Entries Near painstaking

Cite this Entry

“Painstaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painstaking. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

painstaking

adjective
pains·​tak·​ing
ˈpān-ˌstā-kiŋ
: taking or showing great care and effort
a painstaking search
painstakingly
-kiŋ-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on painstaking

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