PAINSTAKINGLY Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

painstakingly

adverb

as in meticulously

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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 painstakingly Her early Hollywood years were propelled by connections her mother painstakingly built. — Estrella Albendea Ruiz, Vanity Fair, 7 Nov. 2026 As McKinsey notes, CEO selection is a painstakingly long process that can include reference checks, screening interviews and final interviews on vision, and each one is a chance to be assessed. — Mushfig Aliyev, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026 Printing a newspaper required workers to painstakingly place individual letters on a metal plate and manually pull a crank to print individual copies of each and every page. — Aaron Glantz, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Oct. 2026 His interest began with game decompilation, a corner of reverse engineering in which fans painstakingly rebuild the code of video games. — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026 Around 30 animators worked across 40 tiny sets, painstakingly constructing a feature-length film frame by frame. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 Wednesday’s operation involved painstakingly maneuvering a large floating platform through the canal to drive the shark out. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 To be stacked together efficiently, they must be painstakingly paired for infinitesimal compatibility. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 The two then painstakingly matched the items with photos of Guest wearing them in order to tell the complete visual story of her life. — Ari Stark, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for painstakingly

Adverb

Ikoyi landed at number 48 this year, owing to its contemporary global menu that is inspired by both British microseasonality and meticulously sourced global spices.

— Nathan Tavares, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
Today, 80 years on, survivors who witnessed the atrocities that Marie-Claude so meticulously put before the court — and the watching world — are sadly dwindling in number.

— Natalie Livingstone, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of meticulously

Adverb

One way in which Wounaan do so is conscientiously sharing and redistributing food, money, wisdom and the like to foster equity.

— Chenier Carpio Opua, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026
By thinking locally, building conscientiously, and operationalizing sustainability in our deployment choices, AI users, companies, and developers can also help ensure that the infrastructure powering our future doesn’t cost us the earth.

— Sasha Luccioni, Time, 3 July 2026

Definition of conscientiously

Adverb

Mushrooms are a seriously big deal here—during my visit, I was invited to drill a hole in the side of a birch tree and plant a chaga mushroom with a small marker beside it, to encourage me to come back and check on its progress on my next visit.

— Liam Hess, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2026
Courtney said Russia has shown no signs of seriously pursuing a ceasefire in Ukraine, despite Kyiv's willingness to freeze the conflict along current battle lines.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of seriously

Adverb

American and Afghan Soldiers, Afghan police, too, standing in front of Andrew, listened attentively to the mission briefing.

— Ron Farina, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
Anyway, Evelyn appeared to be listening attentively to Jack, though her eyes remained glued to the stage.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of attentively

Adverb

While many Democrats have ardently defended transgender rights, particularly in California, others in the party have sided with Republicans or softened their support.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
On the other side of Via Solari, a handful of policemen gathered around dozens of demonstrators, who ardently—but peacefully—chanted for entirely different reasons.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of ardently

Adverb

And yet, if someone earnestly explores the merits of the zodiac or crystal healing at a dinner party, my inner cynic awakens.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026
From the moment Errol Holden’s raps entered the public sphere in the early 2020s, listening to them has felt like hearing a stranger on the street earnestly tell you how the city has changed.

— Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of earnestly

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“Painstakingly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/painstakingly. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of painstakingly

adverb

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