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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in efforts
the active use of energy in producing a result
a superhuman amount of labor must have gone into designing and building the pyramids of Egypt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in toils
very hard or unpleasant work
a political dissident forced to do six months of hard labor in the salt mines as punishment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in childbirths
the act or process of giving birth to children
the mother's labor lasted for six hours
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in products
something produced by physical or intellectual effort
a small, personal film that was clearly a labor of love for the director and actors
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in struggles
to devote serious and sustained effort
the young lawyer labored most of the weekend over the difficult legal brief
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of labors
Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
In the second round, Sarah labors.
—Gerald Witt, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
And while the fruits of those labors may not be realized until later in the winter or in the spring — when free agency and the draft finally arrive — the next few days are crucial for laying groundwork.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
Thousands of truck enthusiasts gathered to display their revving, roving labors of love at the annual Lone Star Throwdown in Conroe this weekend, one of the country’s largest custom truck shows.
—Maliya Ellis, Houston Chronicle, 21 Feb. 2026
The image, captured by photographer John Kraus, provided a novel view looking almost directly up and into the rocket's intense exhaust plume as it was shaped and backlit by the furious labors of the Merlin engines.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Strausfeld did teach at Brighton College of Art (later part of Brighton Polytechnic), on the south coast of England, for many years, but the fruits of his labors for the Academy are the cause of his meticulous appeal.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
Take the 12 days of Christmas, 12 months of the year, 12 zodiac signs, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 gods of Olympus, and 12 tribes of Israel, for example.
—Bailey Allen, Cape Cod Times, 13 Feb. 2026
The main premise of the original Patlabor anime still holds true with EZY, with the focus being on a future Japanese police force using mecha called labors to combat crime.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
Like the appeals made by women during the antiquity to midwife goddesses, prayer and supplication were ways to affirm intentions for healthy pregnancies, calm labors, and living children.
—Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
In the second round, Sarah labors.
—Gerald Witt, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
And while the fruits of those labors may not be realized until later in the winter or in the spring — when free agency and the draft finally arrive — the next few days are crucial for laying groundwork.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
Thousands of truck enthusiasts gathered to display their revving, roving labors of love at the annual Lone Star Throwdown in Conroe this weekend, one of the country’s largest custom truck shows.
—Maliya Ellis, Houston Chronicle, 21 Feb. 2026
The image, captured by photographer John Kraus, provided a novel view looking almost directly up and into the rocket's intense exhaust plume as it was shaped and backlit by the furious labors of the Merlin engines.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Strausfeld did teach at Brighton College of Art (later part of Brighton Polytechnic), on the south coast of England, for many years, but the fruits of his labors for the Academy are the cause of his meticulous appeal.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
Take the 12 days of Christmas, 12 months of the year, 12 zodiac signs, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 gods of Olympus, and 12 tribes of Israel, for example.
—Bailey Allen, Cape Cod Times, 13 Feb. 2026
The main premise of the original Patlabor anime still holds true with EZY, with the focus being on a future Japanese police force using mecha called labors to combat crime.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
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Treeline wants to rebuild corporate IT from the ground up, starting with the everyday headaches most workers barely notice until something breaks.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Authorities said Koc and Alshmari attacked the victim, causing a split lip and headaches.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Within days, China’s surprise intervention in the deal quickly shattered that hope, as Beijing stepped up efforts to discourage Chinese AI founders from moving their businesses offshore.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
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LaPoint explained the Rotary Club helps fund a range of programs, from literacy efforts to direct financial assistance.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 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
-
Both were premised on the idea of frictionless ease, liberating their users from outmoded toils.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Many women may not be aware at all that private details of their childbirths were shared with law enforcement.—
Shoshana Walter,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
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In some Michigan counties, Medicaid covers more than half of all childbirths.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Brands with an authentic connection to Bessette-Kennedy, including some New York City small businesses, experienced unprecedented surges in consumer demands for products touted as her staples.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
27 Mar. 2026
-
PCMag editors select and review products independently.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The 8-episode first season charts the improbable ascent of Joe and Rose Kennedy and their nine children, including rebellious second son Jack, who struggles to escape the shadow of his golden boy older brother.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
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Loose ends and compelling payoffs await after a subdued and slow-ish first frame that struggles with a balance between dark brooding and uneven lull.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The rule has been expanded that teams must interview two minority candidates for openings at head coach, general managers and the offensive and defensive coordinator jobs.—
Mac Engel
March 30,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
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Magdy al-Deeb, a business owner, urged the government to reverse the decision to preserve jobs, especially for cafes and small businesses.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The museum has the world’s largest collection of paintings by Kandinsky, plus works by Picasso, Klee, Miró, and more.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
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Not every author is so concerned by how their works are reimagined.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Labors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/labors. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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