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
Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
The work is painstaking and gradually revelatory.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Through painstaking training, these neurons learned to receive sensory feedback and send motor commands to control the game’s paddles.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
This made for a painstaking three-week shoot in Tunisia, but brought out performances that felt more like genuine reactions.
—Alexander Durie, Time, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for painstaking
Adjective
The story also highlights the painstaking work of paleontology — from the initial confusion over whether a fossil belonged to a fish, to the moment a ninth matching jawbone confirmed the twist was no accident but a remarkable product of evolution.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
The work is painstaking and gradually revelatory.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Through painstaking training, these neurons learned to receive sensory feedback and send motor commands to control the game’s paddles.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
This made for a painstaking three-week shoot in Tunisia, but brought out performances that felt more like genuine reactions.
—Alexander Durie, Time, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for painstaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for painstaking
Adjective
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Following a meticulous four-year renovation, creative directors Kirstin Bailey and Paul Haslhofer have carefully preserved the building’s historic bones while introducing a more contemporary aesthetic.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
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Colleagues described him as a meticulous investigator and a committed trainer who brought humor and patience to his work.—
Ray Campos,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The initiative reflects broader efforts by city authorities and technology companies to explore how AI can improve customer service, accessibility, and operational efficiency in transportation hubs.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
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The effort would assess state departments and gather feedback from public employees to identify inefficiencies and reduce unnecessary spending.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This is not the first time the United States has taken careful aim in Iran and shot its own feet.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Kang noted that Demon Hunters’ visual style was consciously shaped by her lifelong love of anime and manhwa — Korean comics and graphic novels — and executed with careful attention to Korean linguistic and cultural nuances, even though the film’s lingua franca is American English.—
Dan Bilefsky,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Paktyawal began complaining of shortness of breath and chest pains Friday evening while in a holding room at the Dallas ICE field office and was taken to the hospital for treatment, the agency said.—
Aarón Torres,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
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Her understanding of the pleasures and pains of the female body was grounded in her devout beliefs and mysticism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The retreat’s quiet atmosphere and conscientious design reflect their belief in the restorative powers of simplicity, reflection, and connection with nature.—
Kelsey Eisen,
Robb Report,
19 Mar. 2026
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Many comments on the video, however, asked to see specifics of where money has been invested, and where conscientious consumers could verify these claims.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
First, the persistence of ungoverned or contested spaces along the Pakistan-Afghan border risks creating an enabling environment for transnational militant groups.—
Rabia Akhtar,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
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There’s something to be said for the persistence of these artists in grinding through and realizing such elaborate historical films in the face of enormous, unforeseen, catastrophic logistical challenges.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Helen is looking for a loving and caring family.—
The Star,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
-
By making this register the emotional climax of the season, the show leaves us with the impression that John and Carolyn’s relationship was more messed up than fulfilling or loving.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Herzog depicts the bushmen who aid Boyes as dignified, diligent and intelligent without romanticizing them while capturing the rugged beauty of the African landscape.—
Stuart Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
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The men who are in the legislature’s top leadership positions maul the budget the committee chaired by two diligent women adopts after weeks of hearings and deliberations.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Painstaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/painstaking. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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