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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of painstaking
Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 29 Dec. 2025
Using robotics and high-speed chemistry, the team compressed what would normally be months of painstaking lab work into a single week.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025
Cameroon’s election management body took a painstaking 15 days to declare Biya the victor with just 54% of the vote, his lowest showing since 1992.
—Yonatan Morse, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
Not because success was guaranteed, but because more than a decade of painstaking diplomacy had already done the hard work.
—Sir David King, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for painstaking
Adjective
Dunst shivers half-naked, desperate to get dressed, as one lady after another barges in, each ranking higher than the last entitled to present the queen’s garment—grinding the already painstaking Cérémonie du Lever (or rising ceremony) to a halt, all in the name of etiquette.
—Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 29 Dec. 2025
Using robotics and high-speed chemistry, the team compressed what would normally be months of painstaking lab work into a single week.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Dec. 2025
Cameroon’s election management body took a painstaking 15 days to declare Biya the victor with just 54% of the vote, his lowest showing since 1992.
—Yonatan Morse, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
Not because success was guaranteed, but because more than a decade of painstaking diplomacy had already done the hard work.
—Sir David King, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for painstaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for painstaking
Adjective
-
The most meticulous work on this subject was carried out by David Noble, a historian of technology.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Ramon is known for making meticulous in-court analyses for bail and custody decisions.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Her defensive effort led to a transition 3-pointer for Maddie Scherr that electrified the home crowd for TCU.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
-
There is currently no information about the containment efforts for the fire and its cause has yet to be determined.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Step by careful step, Holbrook climbed, holding out bologna and cheese until two pairs of cautious eyes peeked back.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In fact, Williams took great pains to establish that his primary objective is building the Terps (7-7, 0-3 Big Ten), not tearing down a 21-year-old prospect, the Bears or the sport’s governing body.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Those in their fifties and beyond require the same amount of sleep as younger adults—and may actually benefit from sleeping more to offset nightly wake-ups from aches and pains, medication side effects, or dealing with the need to urinate more frequently in the middle of the night.—
Emma Loewe,
Outside,
1 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Bindi’s only six years older, but is very conscientious and a real caregiver.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Oct. 2025
-
There are unanswered overtures from the choir’s pianist Horner (Robert Emms), a soft, vulnerable young man whose conscientious-objector status renders him a fellow outsider.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His story is one of persistence, leadership and a lasting commitment to helping others.—
Malana VanTyler,
Sacbee.com,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The photo captures a moment when frozen lagoons, sea ice, and shoreline all coexist in mid-June, a useful context for understanding seasonal ice persistence in a region where timing affects ecosystems, coastal erosion and human activity.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Schlossberg will be remembered as a passionate environmental journalist, curious author, and loving mother, wife, daughter, and friend.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Her son Sebastian announced her death on her Instagram account, penning a loving tribute to the socialite and jewelry designer.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Painstaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/painstaking. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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