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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of belabor
Jones belabored this point as well, once again citing packing too much and how a broken zipper can quickly turn messy if security is unable to quickly re-pack your belongings.
—
Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
This isn’t to belabor the point of the final three weeks, because the Chiefs didn’t exactly have much of anything to play for.
—Sam McDowell 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
Perhaps that’s why the Dardennes don’t belabor the dynamics among the mothers themselves, who all get along well enough.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026
The movie is effervescent; there’s nothing belabored about it.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belabor
Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
This isn’t to belabor the point of the final three weeks, because the Chiefs didn’t exactly have much of anything to play for.
—Sam McDowell 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2026
Perhaps that’s why the Dardennes don’t belabor the dynamics among the mothers themselves, who all get along well enough.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026
The movie is effervescent; there’s nothing belabored about it.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for belabor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belabor
Verb
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In July 2025, Hurley revealed another one of her tricks for taking the best bikini photos, emphasizing that lighting was key.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
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Cheng agreed, emphasizing the point during his opening keynote appearance, citing copyright concerns in part.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Rather than attacking all rapidly growing cells, as chemotherapy does, the drug targets a key cancer-driving pathway known as KRAS, which is involved in more than 90% of pancreatic tumors.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
5 June 2026
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Akindahunsi is accused of attacking several women the night of May 28.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
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When the tiffin is returned licked clean, Ila sends another meal but with a note, leading to a rich correspondence between the two.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
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Just outside the room, Hadley eagerly licked it up.—
Laura Ungar,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Publicly, Ingoglia has become known for barnstorming the state to hold choreographed press conferences scolding cities and counties for wasteful spending.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 May 2026
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Messi seemed to scold La Familia at one point with a finger wag aimed in their direction, showing his displeasure with their protest.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Rather than attacking all rapidly growing cells, as chemotherapy does, the drug targets a key cancer-driving pathway known as KRAS, which is involved in more than 90% of pancreatic tumors.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
5 June 2026
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Ionic liquids are essentially salts that stay in liquid form even in the vacuum of space, which very few materials can do.—
Omar Kardoudi
June 05,
New Atlas,
5 June 2026
Verb
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Williams belted a walk-off moonshot for a 5-4 win, and Canady slammed the door shut for a 2-0 clincher.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
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The teenager received a standing ovation before Cowell slammed his Golden Buzzer.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Verb
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If not too bad, it can be ignored and new growth should hide the blemishes.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2026
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Buddy was hiding in the bushes on the side of a desolate highway when he was found by a good Samaritan and brought to a rescue.—
Maryanne Dell,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Stop insulting everyone’s intelligence with false hope.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
2 June 2026
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That might be stretching it, actually; at worst, Meg could be played as a nymphomaniac who refused to take no for an answer from an American who could never get drunk enough to kiss rather than insult her.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Belabor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belabor. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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