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
ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Watching that white fluffy stuff fall from the sky can be beautiful and even mesmerizing, but the snow removal part of the equation is painstaking.
—Christina Cush, Architectural Digest, 20 Feb. 2026
The growth from one colony to three over the span of several decades reflects the painstaking, long-term nature of species recovery work.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Scrolling through the results, Benning then selected a diverse set of reference images and turned these into digital collages on an app on their phone, finally executing them on paper through the highly personal and painstaking medium of watercolor.
—Alex Bacon, Artforum, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for painstaking
Adjective
The painstaking work to preserve the species might seem odd to outsiders, but the parrot is just one of many spirited and strange avians in a country where birds reign supreme.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Watching that white fluffy stuff fall from the sky can be beautiful and even mesmerizing, but the snow removal part of the equation is painstaking.
—Christina Cush, Architectural Digest, 20 Feb. 2026
The growth from one colony to three over the span of several decades reflects the painstaking, long-term nature of species recovery work.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Scrolling through the results, Benning then selected a diverse set of reference images and turned these into digital collages on an app on their phone, finally executing them on paper through the highly personal and painstaking medium of watercolor.
—Alex Bacon, Artforum, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for painstaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for painstaking
Adjective
-
The fossils were collected between 2021 and 2024 — years of meticulous excavation and study.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Dive into a world where timeless elegance and meticulous craftsmanship reign supreme.—
Kevin Huynh,
InStyle,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
According to the firm, the effort reflects sustained demand from naval and air warfighters for aircraft capable of holding targets at risk from extended distances, particularly across the vast air and maritime spaces of the Western Pacific.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Eco effort The Jareckis didn't retrofit sustainability onto an existing luxury product.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
28 Feb. 2026
-
To make the most of spring planting, start with site preparation and careful plant selection.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
After a whole season exploring the pains of being an illegitimate child and fears of pregnancy, Sophie and Benedict are now free to have children that would be welcomed warmly into society.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
-
But these are the standard-issue growing pains the NHL routinely beats into developing rosters.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Virtually no risk-free approach Even a conscientious employer following the rule and regulatory and judicial interpretation of the rule may have its workplace seating policy second-guessed.—
Dan Eaton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
-
For 20-odd years, Adams has been one of Hollywood’s most reliably committed and conscientious performers.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Approach the situation with patience and persistence, and stay focused on reaching a reasonable resolution for everyone involved.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Endurance meets firepower Performance analytics conducted so far indicate confidence in the MQ-9B’s ability to carry long-range weapons over significant distances while maintaining its hallmark persistence and endurance.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Giving your all to others has left your loving cup empty.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Friends of Wendy and Gary Spohr filed one after another before Judge Garen Horst to describe a loving couple who thrived on adventure and travel, whether skiing their beloved Sierra or diving in the waters of the South Pacific, but whose lives were cut down out of Serafini’s greed.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Even with diligent care, the ADA says risks remain.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Drugs with very tight therapeutic windows, such as heart and pulmonary drugs, require more diligent monitoring and administration.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Painstaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/painstaking. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
