as in efforts
very hard or unpleasant work
the donkeywork involved in setting up one's own start-up software firm
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donkeyworks
Noun
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There is currently no information about the containment efforts for the fire and its cause remains unknown.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
9 Nov. 2025 -
And then on Thursday, after most of the show had been written, a man collapsed in the Oval Office, generating an instantly meme-able photograph of the president staring into the camera, looking oblivious to efforts to revive the prone victim at stage left.—
Erik Adams,
The Atlantic,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The fool-proof formula feels like your favorite sweats but looks far more intentional.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
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For a slightly more polished feel, make like Mila Kunis and style your sweats with a simple yet sophisticated longline wool coat that preferably has a slightly oversized fit.—
Georgia Lockstone,
Glamour,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But the attention the episode pays to her labors the next day to secure Helen’s grace is a great example of Gillian’s slow-burn style paying off.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
26 Nov. 2025
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The time has come for decorating enthusiasts around Middle Tennessee to shine, and for area visitors ― and those of us who live nearby and enjoy scoping out Christmas decor, or getting a few ideas of our own to add in next year ― to see the fruits of their labors.—
Nicole Young,
Nashville Tennessean,
23 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In fact, Williams took great pains to establish that his primary objective is building the Terps (7-7, 0-3 Big Ten), not tearing down a 21-year-old prospect, the Bears or the sport’s governing body.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Those in their fifties and beyond require the same amount of sleep as younger adults—and may actually benefit from sleeping more to offset nightly wake-ups from aches and pains, medication side effects, or dealing with the need to urinate more frequently in the middle of the night.—
Emma Loewe,
Outside,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
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How Tielemans overcame early toils is often used as a source of encouragement by new additions who seem peripheral at first.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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With his trademark military fatigues, slender Cohiba cigars, and marathon speeches vilifying Uncle Sam, Castro captured the imaginations of aspiring revolutionaries and millions of others around the world.—
Brian Winter,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Dec. 2025
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Cissé, who was not a member of the military, sometimes posted images of herself in military fatigues to her more than 140,00 TikTok followers, which is thought to have drawn attention from the armed men.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Vaccarello, who was born and raised in Belgium to Sicilian parents, spends a month in Los Angeles twice each year, usually in March and November, a recuperation from the semiannual exertions of the women’s collection.—
Rob Haskell,
Vogue,
20 Oct. 2025
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The little girl began to feel drowsy after her exertions at the swimming pool and decided to curl up beside her.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Upgrade your movie marathons, gaming grinds, and Sunday chill sessions with this gorgeous 50 inch Hisense 4K Smart TV.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
20 Oct. 2025
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It’s finished with a generous sprinkling of salt and a few grinds of black pepper.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Donkeyworks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donkeyworks. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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