as in labor
very hard or unpleasant work
the donkeywork involved in setting up one's own start-up software firm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donkeywork
Noun
-
Barker recommends those who want to donate look up their local union district on the American Federation of Government Employees website, or give through their local labor council.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026 -
The airlines, which are the primary beneficiaries of the labor provided by TSA and air traffic controllers, should be the first ones at the table demanding this action.—
Paul Vallas,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The initiative reflects broader efforts by city authorities and technology companies to explore how AI can improve customer service, accessibility, and operational efficiency in transportation hubs.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The effort would assess state departments and gather feedback from public employees to identify inefficiencies and reduce unnecessary spending.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That committee approved a set of different designs, which included images related to the abolition of slavery, the Civil Rights Movement and women's suffrage.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Amid all the admiring, even nostalgic, books and films commemorating America’s revolutionary beginnings in the lead-up to our country’s 250th birthday, Ellis’ book examines the underside of that time, specifically the failure to end slavery, and the failure to avoid Indian removal.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Now this artist, who is devoted to depicting the Chicano struggle, says removing Chavez from artwork may be the only choice.—
Steve Large,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The reality is there wasn’t much in reserve in the middle, with it another struggle for Kel’el Ware.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Form Insoles combine mechanical arch support with a neuro-stimulating texture, which is proven to reduce foot fatigue and arch pain by increasing overall foot awareness and foot posture.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Of course, the real flex is chartering your own flight—avoiding check-in-desk fatigue, security lines, and concern about overweight luggage altogether.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The guys have put in blood, sweat and tears to develop a top-four defense two weeks ago.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Rumor had it the gym floor was sealed with the sweat of former players.—
Mark Glende,
Twin Cities,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
His former teammate Porzingis could relate to Tatum’s rehab process, and said that a desire to be involved in the team’s day-to-day grind is often a great motivator.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
But the quagmire is made worse by the question of what audiences want in an age of abundant at-home entertainment options, tighter budgets and general fatigue from the merciless grind of modern life.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Paktyawal began complaining of shortness of breath and chest pains Friday evening while in a holding room at the Dallas ICE field office and was taken to the hospital for treatment, the agency said.—
Aarón Torres,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Her understanding of the pleasures and pains of the female body was grounded in her devout beliefs and mysticism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Donkeywork.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donkeywork. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
