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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This has been, in no small part, because Russia’s writers have often played an antagonistic role in the efforts of Russia’s rulers to shape a particular image of the country, including Alexander Pushkin and Leo Tolstoy—arguably Russia’s two most iconic literary geniuses.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026 -
But Jeffries’s efforts, which have achieved mixed results, have also elicited concerns from some of his supporters.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Keep scrolling below for more pairs of comfortable summer travel pants, including cozy sweats and casual capri pants under $30.—
Madeline Merinuk,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
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She was arrested in a dramatic raid last fall and came to her first court appearance looking weak from liver failure and wearing sweats, a pair of glasses and her hair pulled back in an informal bun.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Johnson is consistent in mirroring the release from his pedal and rarely labors when transitioning with route breaks.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
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Residents need relief from high rates and the city itself labors under a hefty and ever-rising power bill, adding tens of millions to its deficit.—
Craig D. Rose,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ebola causes a hemorrhagic fever, with symptoms that start with fever, aches, pains and fatigue before progressing to diarrhea, vomiting and bleeding, according to the public health agency.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
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But in the four years between the two terms, Xi had taken pains to ensure this tactic would no longer work, with export controls on rare earth metals that are indispensable to American arms manufacturers and carmakers.—
Rob Crilly,
The Washington Examiner,
15 May 2026
Noun
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There has to be a chance that Jos Buttler’s toils in Sri Lanka and India represent his last ventures on the international stage, and therefore the end of an era.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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Both were premised on the idea of frictionless ease, liberating their users from outmoded toils.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Neighbors and other observers in the area blew whistles, honked horns and yelled outrage, with some recording the detention from a distance, but the agents — wearing military-style fatigues and equipment — got the 57-year-old into a vehicle and drove away.—
Mark Vancleave,
Twin Cities,
13 Apr. 2026
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Four weeks earlier, agents had arrived in Chicago with military fatigues, face masks, armored vehicles, and rifles.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Not everyone appreciated the exertions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
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Ahmad plays Shah Latif, a British Pakistani actor, who, owing to the exertions of his faithful, often frustrated agent, Felicia (Weruche Opia), is improbably auditioning to be the next James Bond.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Skaters ages 6-11 showed off their nose grinds, kickflips and wall rides to an enthusiastic early crowd.—
Tony Le Calvez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
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This is perfect for a small household that just needs enough grinds for one pot of coffee at a time.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Donkeyworks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donkeyworks. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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