Synonyms of belabor

belabor

verb

bi-ˈlā-bər 

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

• emphasize
• stress
• dwell (on or upon)
• pay (up)
• underline
• underscore
• harp (on)
• point (up)
• accent
• accentuate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forget
• ignore
• slight
• overlook
• disregard
• pass over
• slur (over)
• overpass

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

• attack
• scold
• slam
• insult
• criticize
• excoriate
• assail
• abuse
• savage
• jump (on)
• castigate
• lambaste
• blast
• tie into
• vituperate
• harass
• sail into
• berate
• revile
• bash
• disparage
• scathe
• belittle
• potshot
• harangue
• curse
• blaspheme
• trash
• beat up on
• chide
• light into
• chastise
• affront
• vilify
• reprimand
• libel
• bad-mouth
• execrate
• slur
• profane
• asperse
• slander
• harry
• whip
• fulminate
• blackguard
• rebuke
• imprecate
• lash (out)
• put down
• lace (into)
• traduce

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• commend
• praise
• compliment
• hail
• laud
• acclaim

3

as in to lick

to strike repeatedly

with a whip he belabored a horse almost to the point of death

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lick
• do
• hide
• lash
• pound
• beat
• whip
• spank
• knock
• hit
• pelt
• slap
• attack
• punch
• slam
• batter
• thump
• lambaste
• assault
• bludgeon
• pummel
• bat
• smack
• rough (up)
• bash
• maul
• smash
• punch out
• chop
• flog
• fib
• whup
• lather
• slog
• wound
• belt
• club
• tan
• swipe
• baste
• hammer
• drub
• whack
• wallop
• paddle
• thrash
• raid
• work over
• slate
• whale
• whop
• buffet
• assail
• thresh
• curry
• pommel
• tromp
• bung up
• lace
• switch
• birch
• storm
• beset
• beat up on
• box
• mess (up)
• rush
• cudgel
• swat
• paste
• jump (on)
• clout
• clobber
• crack
• lam
• pounce (on or upon)
• lay on
• descend (on or upon)
• whomp
• flagellate
• cane
• cuff
• sock
• lacerate
• strap
• wham
• mangle
• thwack
• horsewhip
• maim
• scourge
• bust
• leather
• gore
• mutilate
• blackjack
• pistol-whip
• fustigate
• rawhide
• cowhide

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of belabor

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

One thing the Ducks won’t have to belabor is the shootout, which gave them a win over the Avs back in January, another over the Calgary Flames on Sunday and seven in seven opportunities overall this season. — Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 2 Mar. 2026

At risk of belaboring the Wallacaissaince, this is an especially fun conversation for structure nerds and systems heads. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026