labors 1 of 2

plural of labor
1
as in headaches
a dull, unpleasant, or difficult piece of work one of the labors of Hercules in classical mythology was to clean out the stables of King Augeas

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labors

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of labor

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 labors
Noun
Teaching and coaching are labors of love passed down from Lee’s father, Robert, who spent his career coaching and teaching students in Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools. — Pj Green august 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026 Exclusion generates the prestige toward which unpaid labors strive. — M. C. Mah, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026 Do not restrict yourself from enjoying the rewards of your labors. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026 As emails and text messages tug at our sleeves, even a short lull in the labors of the day can feel like an indulgence. — Danny Heitman, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026 The dog watched over a three-bodied giant's red cattle, and was ultimately killed by Heracles as the demigod hero sought to complete his 12 labors. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 24 July 2026 Their heroic labors produced the versions that, copied and recopied on papyrus and later on parchment, arrived at last at a printing press in Florence. — David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026 The results of those labors, Devil’s Quarry, debuts June 10 as Season Five of Bone Valley. — Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2026 People who had really long labors and deliveries are at higher risk of developing a pelvic floor prolapse. — Parents, 21 May 2026
Verb
Thoroughly unimpressed by her suburban idyll, and evidently unmoved by her responsibilities as wife and mother, Denise labors in her basement on a novel whose protagonist wishes to forsake her family for a life in New York. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026 Every man and woman who labors in the construction industry deserves that. — Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for labors
Noun
  • For anyone living in a household where someone snores, wakes up with headaches or drags through the day, Jack Black’s candid podcast conversation about his CPAP machine offers a familiar reference point.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Long-term exposure can lead to long-term health consequences, including chronic bronchitis or asthma, inflammation of the lungs, headaches, memory loss and fatigue.
    — Rebecca Smullin Dawson, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Still, the endeavor feels worth it for Pugh and Lee’s standout efforts, which etch their characters deep into one’s memory.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Eco effort Water sufficiency—including water recycling for irrigation in their treatment plant—in a notoriously dry part of the island is a notable part of the resort’s sustainability efforts.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The gods themselves are also an unnerving presence, omnipresent beings of colossal power who see humans as their playthings and view Ulysses' toils as some twisted spectator sport.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 July 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • The human neurons suffered severe, selective damage, mimicking the cellular breakdown that causes cerebral palsy in human infants during difficult childbirths.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Congo's has among the world's highest rates of both childbirths per woman and deaths around childbirth.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Circ has said construction of the French facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2028, with the company targeting the use of its recycled polyester in Primark products from 2029.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Amazon is always chock-full of deals on seasonal clothing, multifunctional cleaning tools, and buzzy beauty products, but Prime members can unlock even more savings.
    — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The nation's flood insurance program struggles to balance affordability, flood protection and cost to taxpayers, leaving millions vulnerable at a time when climate change is driving flood risk higher.
    — MICHAEL PHILLIS, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Next up was Christian Pulisic, dubbed Captain America, who is arguably a bit better but struggles with consistency.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Staff reductions are expected to be brutal, and with so many duplicative roles across HBO Max and Paramount+, many talented executives will lose their jobs.
    — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Companies that grow around the university can create jobs and opportunities well beyond its campus.
    — Michael Simas, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • This aspect of his practice can also be seen in two other works that also underwent technical analysis courtesy C2RMF.
    — Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • New works by Mexican artist Gabriel Guzmán, American artist Betty Woodman and Lee Ufan have been selected to commemorate France’s diplomatic anniversaries with Mexico, the United States and Korea.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Labors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/labors. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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