DONKEYWORK Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

donkeywork

noun

ˈdäŋ-kē-ˌwərk

Definition of donkeywork

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

Assertive Mars clashes with your ruler Saturn, highlighting tension around your home, family, or the amount of emotional labor each person carries.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
Shipbuilding used to mean months of labor, custom wooden frames, and massive upfront tooling costs.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of labor

Noun

Its architecture could contribute to future efforts involving inexpensive rockets produced in much larger quantities.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Poor Anton has been left out of the drama all day, an effort by Billie and Samir to prevent an already bad futzing from escalating to something severe, and that’s never where Anton likes to be.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of effort

Noun

Public monuments condemning slavery have been removed, and Confederate names have been restored to Army bases.

— Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Brought to the region to address economic and environmental woes shaped by the ghost of plantation slavery, kudzu was later abandoned as shifting needs rendered the plant unnecessary.

— The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of slavery

Noun

While Craig will get most of the attention, TCU’s revamped offensive line also had its struggles throughout the day.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
Those struggles have become increasingly difficult for the Blue Jays to ignore as the season has progressed.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of struggle

Noun

The platform will be monitored over time to assess how the bamboo composite performs against fatigue, environmental exposure and other stresses encountered offshore.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Immediate consequences can develop quickly Heat strain may begin with fatigue, headache, dizziness, weakness or nausea and progress to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

— Julian L. Gallegos, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of fatigue

Noun

My usual deodorant has stopped working, and my sweat suddenly smells different or much stronger than before.

— Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 1 Sep. 2026
This 45 percent-off unisex sweatshirt is a great outer layer paired with a $13 tank that is both durable and sweat-wicking.

— Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of sweat

Noun

In cases that are considered to be too severe — such as when a pregnant woman at the center began experiencing labor pains — those individuals are airlifted to a nearby hospital.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
California has taken pains to eliminate coal as a source of electricity, and this would be the first coal export terminal in California — or anywhere on the West Coast.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of pains

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.

Browse Nearby Words

donkeys

donkeywork

donkeyworks

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Donkeywork.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donkeywork. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of donkeywork

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes