SPADEWORK Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

spadework

noun

Definition of spadework

as in effort

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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 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

Noun

The totality of Clark’s effort made White react more like a fan than a coach.

— James Boyd, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Smaller nonprofit efforts — often faith-based — can also offer a soft landing place, but few exist.

— Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026

Definition of effort

Noun

Outside, a group of tourists paused to watch her toil, then one read the restaurant sign near the door aloud.

— Natalie B. Compton The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026
The gods themselves are also an unnerving presence, omnipresent beings of colossal power who see humans as their playthings and view Ulysses' toils as some twisted spectator sport.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 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

If testosterone levels are too low, at any age, this can lead to muscle and bone weakness, fatigue, and decline in libido.

— Nina Shapiro, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Warning signs worth flagging to a doctor include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, severe daytime fatigue, persistent low mood, rapid heart rate and unexplained weight changes.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 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

Rowland said any reforms will be paired with practical guidance and education initiatives to help companies better identify, manage and remediate modern slavery risks in their supply chains.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 16 July 2026
However, the replacement panels do not include some of detail in the earlier ones, such as a map of slave trade routes and a timeline on slavery.

— Corey Williams, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of slavery

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spades

spadework

spadeworks

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Style

“Spadework.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spadework. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of spadework

noun

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