spadework

noun

Definition of spadeworknext
as in effort

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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 spadework These aren’t fads or fancy frameworks, but rather daily spadework that cultivates a culture of collaborative excellence. — Doug Sundheim, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025 But the loss at the Mercedes plants will almost surely slow down the union’s campaign and probably force it to do more spadework to secure the support of workers before seeking to hold elections at other auto plants. — Jack Ewing, New York Times, 17 May 2024 In this peacemaking effort, the United States would have to do almost all the spadework. — Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Mar. 2024 Early spadework for the new batch of projects also dates back to the City of Cleveland’s 2004 Waterfront District Plan. — Steven Litt, cleveland, 26 Feb. 2022 See All Example Sentences for spadework
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spadework
  1. effort
  2. toil
  3. drudgery
  4. fatigue
  5. travail
  6. slavery
Noun
  • Bellingham deserves a mention, too; his tireless running in-behind defences has created space for Kane all through the tournament, while his colossal defensive efforts have helped to maintain balance across the team.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026
  • The organization is a main backer of the measure and has supported efforts in other states to prohibit individualized prices for people based on certain personal information.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of effort
Noun
  • First and foremost, breaks from the stress and toil of work are essential components of healing from burnout.
    — DJ Didonna, Time, 13 July 2026
  • Routine operational toil is being automated, allowing teams to focus on system design, cost management, and higher-level architecture.
    — Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Definition of toil
Noun
  • Many leaders are rightly enthusiastic about how AI can help reduce burnout, eliminate drudgery and free people up for more meaningful work.
    — Carrie Varoquiers, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Sea Rangers offer a Swiss Army knife’s dexterity, pursuing government contracts across the European Union and United Kingdom to tackle the tedium of climate compliance and the drudgery of clearing those backlogs.
    — Richard Morgan, Time, 29 June 2026
Definition of drudgery
Noun
  • Hydration and fatigue will be factors both teams have to deal with.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
  • Guard members, clearly distinguished by their military fatigues, have been seen throughout downtown Memphis on patrols and directing traffic during events.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Definition of fatigue
Noun
  • Visiting the facility, which Sara did every day, took hours, but the commute was the least of her travails.
    — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
  • Another young woman named Maurine Dallas Watkins reported Annan’s expedited travails through Cook County’s legal system for the Tribune.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
Definition of travail
Noun
  • Last month, Mottley led a subcommittee of Caribbean leaders that launched a new slavery reparations manifesto during a reparations conference in Ghana.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Clark accused some board members of whitewashing history after Young amended the curriculum to remove one definition of slavery for third-graders, citing redundancy.
    — Rachel Royster. Produced with AI assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026
Definition of slavery

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spades
spadework
spadeworks
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Cite this Entry

“Spadework.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spadework. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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