1
as in diligent
involved in often constant activity
the volunteers have been commendably laborious in their cleanup of the beach
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
the laborious task of cleaning up the oil spill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
that report is the product of months of laborious research
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of laborious
The laborious process of finalizing a Mountain West men’s basketball schedule continued Wednesday with the release of television assignments and the adjustment of several dates from the tentative list of games released last month.
—
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
Already, three in 10 advertisers are using Gen AI creative tools to tick off laborious tasks, like automatically adjusting images, copy and layouts for different ad placements in seconds.
—Derya Matras, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
These crews will look up to robotic companions like Charlotte to automate and ease the laborious construction work required for a permanent Moon base.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
The medium of weaving — ancient, laborious — feels apt for Riley’s investigative project.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for laborious
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Oct. 2025
Already, three in 10 advertisers are using Gen AI creative tools to tick off laborious tasks, like automatically adjusting images, copy and layouts for different ad placements in seconds.
—Derya Matras, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
These crews will look up to robotic companions like Charlotte to automate and ease the laborious construction work required for a permanent Moon base.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
The medium of weaving — ancient, laborious — feels apt for Riley’s investigative project.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for laborious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laborious
Adjective
-
But such diligent injury prevention doesn’t address the root cause of Rec League Dysmorphia.—
Grace Perry,
Outside,
1 Jan. 2026
-
Iran thus has every right to demand that the IAEA be diligent in observing its own procedures and codes of conduct on impartiality, objectivity, confidentiality, and sensitivity to national security concerns in exchange for continued cooperation.—
Mohammad Javad Zarif,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Jens generally chooses his words carefully, and is, what’s more, particularly reticent just after finishing a long and difficult winter delivery trip; what’s a person supposed to do with words in a blizzard anyway, up on a stormy heath and all directions lost?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
In his first start in the wake of Beau Pribula’s significant injury, Zollers walked into a difficult situation, and his stat line reflected it.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
But last month, Critchfield backed off in the face of a challenging state budget.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Depending on where in the country your family lives, winter can be a challenging time for kids who are cooped up inside amid the chillier weather.—
Mia Taylor,
Parents,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
At 40 of the country’s busiest airports, flights coming and going will be reduced by 10% this week.—
The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The shutdown’s ripple effects spread across nearly every part of the air travel network Friday, with the nation’s busiest airports hit hardest.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
This loss had to be especially tough for the Jayhawks, considering a controversial holding call on KU changed the momentum of the game.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
-
However, their record at the Etihad makes for tough reading.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Philadelphia first tried the 24-year-old at center but eventually moved him to the wing, presumably because of his struggles in the faceoff circle (just 39 percent of draws won) and because the wing is a less demanding defensive position.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Both must meet demanding performance standards, operate on efficient edge-compute systems, deliver provable safety, and scale in a commercially viable way.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Try having a musician become engaged for that length of time.—
Karen Taylor Bass,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
-
In the year since their split, Turner has gotten engaged to his new partner, Lana Sutton.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors.—
Harlan Vaughn,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The Encinitas Green Business Network provides a rigorous framework for local organizations to reduce their environmental footprint through actionable, practical, and high-impact improvements.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Laborious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laborious. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share