PAINSTAKING Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

painstaking 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpān-ˌstā-kiŋ

Definition of painstaking

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

painstaking

2 of 2

noun

as in effort

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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

Adjective

Unfortunately, Annie’s painstaking facial sculpting does nothing to calm her nerves. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026 The current multi-year refurbishment, which started in late 2019, is a painstaking attempt to thoroughly modernize the interior facilities both aesthetically and operationally while paying tribute to the original 19th-century elegance. — William Jones, USA Today, 30 July 2026 At Aeon Mall in Kashima, a gas explosion and collapsed upper floor killed shoppers and workers, trapping others as sweltering heat complicates painstaking searches for the missing. — Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 In her acknowledgments, Jacobsen pauses to remind her readers that her tale’s painstaking realism is just a literary device. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for painstaking

Recent Examples of Synonyms for painstaking

Adjective

An immaculate natural setting, meticulous interior design, simple pleasures such as a complete sense of privacy, and impeccable service are just some of the highlights.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
When the scant blood trail disappeared, Charles began the meticulous hands-and-knees job of track-trailing the buck.

— Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of meticulous

Noun

Its architecture could contribute to future efforts involving inexpensive rockets produced in much larger quantities.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Poor Anton has been left out of the drama all day, an effort by Billie and Samir to prevent an already bad futzing from escalating to something severe, and that’s never where Anton likes to be.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of effort

Adjective

Apply the serum directly to sparse areas of your brows, being careful to avoid letting the product touch other areas of your skin.

— Iman Balagam, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026
According to the researchers, careful process design and optimization as well as architecture simplification could help in solving most of these issues, something that industrial production focuses on much more than academic researchers.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of careful

Noun

Nielsen has taken great pains to caution that there is no guarantee that ratings gains will accompany these changes, which are being implemented to further improve the accuracy of its data gathering.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 19 Aug. 2026
If an infected person has trouble breathing, persistent chest pains or pressure, loses consciousness or sudden confusion, call 911.

— Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of pains

Adjective

Less so is the fact that more vulnerabilities are being discovered by bounty hunters assisted by AI tools, leaving Google fighting a battle to patch them before less conscientious hackers find them and put them to criminal use.

— Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
The reptile dealers need to be more conscientious, and there needs to be more captive breeding.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of conscientious

Noun

Now, after more than 15 years in professional baseball, Berti is choosing to close the book on a career defined by persistence.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
The persistence of the nature gap The legacy of this history is heavily reflected in modern statistics.

— Kimmie Gordon, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of persistence

Adjective

More recently, diligent and passionate biologists, chemists, and experts from other disciplines have used technology for contemporary experiments that reveal a spectrum of plant consciousness.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026
Dark circles happen, acne pops up, and dark spots can even appear despite diligent sunscreen use.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026