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belabor

verb

bi-ˈlā-bər How to pronounce belabor (audio)
Definition of belabornext
1
as in to emphasize
to speak or write about insistently and usually tiresomely stop belaboring the fact that they're already in debt

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly there's no need to belabor other people's flaws when you're hardly perfect yourself

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to lick
to strike repeatedly with a whip he belabored a horse almost to the point of death

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of belabor Blame, too, goes to the Bears, of course, whose political miscalculations have been well-documented by us and others and don’t need belaboring here. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026 There are a few lumpy patches, moments when the revision over-explains itself or belabors a point. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026 No need to belabor the point—the emotions are obvious from the music itself. — Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026 As one who's written well for decades about historical guilt and denial, Buruma is too savvy to belabor familiar Nazi horrors. — John Powers, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for belabor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belabor
  1. emphasize
  2. attack
  3. lick
  4. scold
  5. do
  6. slam
  7. hide
  8. insult
Verb
  • Board members emphasized that even under the 40% projection, the district would still end the year with a positive cash balance.
    — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • While the shape of the dress harkened back to the easy sensuality of ’90s designs, the bodice incorporated subtle embroidery throughout, with sequins and beadwork that emphasized the unique patterning of the midi design.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of emphasize
Verb
  • Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone leaders say the pastor’s words attack their identity and echo past religious assimilation, spurring weekly demonstrations and new rules requiring outside ministries to seek tribal approval.
    — Savannah Peters, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • To beat the odds, founders need to plan for a long-term goal that is relevant and achievable, then attack it in a series of sprints that enable incremental growth.
    — Deann Evans, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of attack
Verb
  • Baldwin’s post featured a video of the dog licking a cherry ice pop and looking at the rain.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Therefore, scrapes without a licking branch aren’t repeatedly visited and re-used by the local deer herd.
    — Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of lick
Verb
  • Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.
    — JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In fact, during testing, the handheld triggered nostalgic memories of playing Final Fantasy Legend and Mario Land 2 on long car rides to my grandparents' house, but without the eye strain and being scolded for playing in the dark as the sun set.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of scold
Verb
  • In fact, Hal does so almost immediately so John can use his artistic skills to create a complex tunneling device for burrowing beneath the compound.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • As the business grows, employee owners' ESOP accounts do, too, without contributing a cent.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of do
Verb
  • Worse still, the impact slammed the Ferrari into a car in front, damaging both the convertible’s front and rear ends.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The crash happened days after an SUV driver allegedly under the influence of drugs careened down the wrong lane in Chatsworth and slammed into a Metro bus, killing two riders and injuring six others.
    — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of slam
Verb
  • Cuts to public agencies have coincided with outbreaks of infectious and foodborne diseases, to the point that the administration is trying to manipulate numbers to hide measles deaths.
    — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The restaurant is also available for private-dining bookings with a room that can instantly tint its glass, hiding diners with the flip of a switch.
    — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of hide
Verb
  • There were also insulting chants against Sanchez, another sign of the noisy debate over the government's handling of the crisis.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Platner also apologized for old online comments that included insulting language about women, police and rural residents.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of insult

Browse Nearby Words

bejeweled
belabor
belabored
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Belabor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belabor. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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