as in meticulous
taking, showing, or involving great care and effort
she was always painstaking about her work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in effort
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 painstaking
Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026
The state has also taken painstaking care to ensure that anyone and everyone can relish in the work.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
What followed was over one year of painstaking systematic comparison with similar species across the globe.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Her painstaking research closes the gap between past and future, contributing to a new way of seeing.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for painstaking
Adjective
While Breer’s team was quietly refining its design through painstaking engineering and wind-tunnel trials, another man was moving even faster.
—Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026
The state has also taken painstaking care to ensure that anyone and everyone can relish in the work.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
What followed was over one year of painstaking systematic comparison with similar species across the globe.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Her painstaking research closes the gap between past and future, contributing to a new way of seeing.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for painstaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for painstaking
Adjective
-
The competitive clinic market has also pushed standards higher, with advanced technology and meticulous service now the norm for visitors seeking everything from a basic facial to more involved cosmetic procedures.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
-
On the other hand, the state legislature was not meticulous about complying with the procedure that the state constitution lays out for proposing amendments.—
Noah Feldman,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Bahamian authorities assisted with rescue efforts, but did not deploy anyone to the scene, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) told CBS News.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
-
That first strike came courtesy of Catherine Dubois, a versatile depth forward, who was moved onto Montreal’s top line beside Poulin and Laura Stacey in an effort to spread out the team’s offense.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
The tunnel was built after careful planning and executed with tremendous effort.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Common symptoms people experience are headaches, muscle aches, serious fevers, coughing, chest pains, shortness of breath and nausea, according to Kaiser Permanente.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
The pains and pleasures of family life are top of mind for her.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
So naturally, the thought of turning Hypergnosis into an ethical company doesn’t compute, even to a seemingly conscientious person like Harper, who likens Anushka’s vision to buying a jet and asking where the brakes are.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
10 May 2026
-
While acknowledging that antisemites may have good characteristics—a loving husband, a generous and conscientious citizen—Sartre claimed that their hatred ultimately defines them.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The thesis, as Zidni frames it, is that Indonesian cinema’s next phase cannot rely on individual producers’ persistence.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
That sustained workplace exposure and relationship based learning environments strengthen college persistence and long term economic mobility outcomes.—
Kelby Woodard,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Time veers at this bucolic Albanian restaurant, Ramiz Kukaj’s loving recreation of the old country.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
While acknowledging that antisemites may have good characteristics—a loving husband, a generous and conscientious citizen—Sartre claimed that their hatred ultimately defines them.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the end, after a monthslong investigation and diligent forensic work, partial remains of 70 of the 110 victims were identified and returned to family members who, to this day, carry the pain of that day in 1996.—
Hank Tester,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
-
The Devil’s Chair Trail was previously closed because of storm damage, but reopened about two weeks ago, thanks to the diligent work of county staff.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Painstaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/painstaking. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
