as in meticulous
taking, showing, or involving great care and effort
she was always painstaking about her work
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in effort
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of painstaking
Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 13 Apr. 2026
Agreed, but this bill substitutes the long, painstaking and complex work of fixing California’s troubled insurance market with finger-pointing and posturing.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2026
This emotional dramedy from Tamara Jenkins follows a middle-aged couple and their painstaking efforts to have a baby.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
Such software flaws can be painstaking for human researchers to find and are coveted by spy agencies and cybercriminals for conducting stealthy hacks.
—Sean Lyngaas, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for painstaking
Adjective
But even painstaking security measures didn’t stop choppers from flying over the wedding site.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 13 Apr. 2026
Agreed, but this bill substitutes the long, painstaking and complex work of fixing California’s troubled insurance market with finger-pointing and posturing.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2026
This emotional dramedy from Tamara Jenkins follows a middle-aged couple and their painstaking efforts to have a baby.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
Such software flaws can be painstaking for human researchers to find and are coveted by spy agencies and cybercriminals for conducting stealthy hacks.
—Sean Lyngaas, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for painstaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for painstaking
Adjective
-
Valerii was meticulous and detail-oriented, often to a fault.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
But fights are just as integral to the Netflix show created by Lee Sung Jin, and the series’ sound team needed to do even more meticulous work building visceral senses of anger, stress, and dread that slowly swallow up the characters and steer them into making a compounding set of poor decisions.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Jessica Chmielewski, Colleen Gartlan and Ella Riordan led a strong defensive effort in front of Noone.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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The effort will focus on solutions that can be adapted elsewhere in the world, such as sustainable finance, digital innovation and workforce development.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Detecting such tiny numbers of atoms takes time, and the setup requires careful calibration and advanced equipment.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Iran’s political leadership has been at pains to dispel reports of infighting and to project a unified approach to the country’s military objectives and negotiating strategy.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
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The pressures of fame and the pains of Michael’s brand of friendlessness are barely explored, beyond the requisite scenes of screaming fans crowding outside the family estate and a terrified Michael attempting to get away from them (while still politely waving).—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Dogs are allowed off-leash with conscientious owners.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Apr. 2026
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Sam has encouraged the boy to be more conscientious with his studies and has been learning alongside him for years, picking up his schoolbooks and offering ideas on how to make the assignments more meaningful.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hernández’s introduction note among the MGI All Stars contestants highlighted her personal story of resilience and persistence.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Covington Police Chief Michael Ferrell credited the persistence of both his department and the Louisiana State Police for keeping the case alive.—
Francie Ebert,
NBC news,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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All three writers turned loving, humorous, piercing gazes on a particular place, exploring, through cycles of plays, the rich humanity and the grave historical wounds of its inhabitants.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
26 Apr. 2026
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Despite being presented as a loving father, Hank was revealed at the end of Season 1 to be a ruthless, pre-war Vault-Tec executive who is responsible for the nuclear destruction of Shady Sands.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
These trees need proper attention to grow to their full potential—pruning is essential, as is being diligent against pests.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Defenseman Jacob Moverare was highlighted with the Daryl Evans Youth Hockey Service Award for his diligent and enthusiastic work with the Kings’ learn-to-play program.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Painstaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/painstaking. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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