as in labored
to devote serious and sustained effort
toiled for many years on the mammoth outdoor sculpture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 toiled
While the opera Lulu was playing out front, the tuner and his son toiled backstage.
—
Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
The story’s most significant character, save Miranda herself, is Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), who once toiled alongside Emily in the assistant trenches and finally surpassed her.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
At the time, many people who had previously toiled in the fields shifted to working long shifts in cramped, and often dangerous manufacturing and textile facilities while increasingly resenting the industrialists who owned the factories.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
It had clearly been discussed by Villa in preparation and yet, for long periods, Villa toiled in the heat of such aggression.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Since that December victory, Swanson trained and toiled, still uncertain about his fighting future.
—Brian Martin, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026
Down where the Pigeons toiled, two-foot piles of garbage cluttered blocks lined with storage-unit facilities, budget hotels, abandoned RVs and parking lots sealed with rusted razor wire.
—Tim Craig The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2026
First baseman Betsy Jack and most of her nine fellow seniors on this year’s roster toiled largely in the background for a record-setting season in 2025 as Oswego won the program’s first state title.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
For more than 20 years, county officials have planned for, and toiled with, what to do with the rare swath of developable land outside of Yuba City, as most of the unincorporated county has been designated as too flood prone for development.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
The story’s most significant character, save Miranda herself, is Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), who once toiled alongside Emily in the assistant trenches and finally surpassed her.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
At the time, many people who had previously toiled in the fields shifted to working long shifts in cramped, and often dangerous manufacturing and textile facilities while increasingly resenting the industrialists who owned the factories.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
It had clearly been discussed by Villa in preparation and yet, for long periods, Villa toiled in the heat of such aggression.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Since that December victory, Swanson trained and toiled, still uncertain about his fighting future.
—Brian Martin, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026
Down where the Pigeons toiled, two-foot piles of garbage cluttered blocks lined with storage-unit facilities, budget hotels, abandoned RVs and parking lots sealed with rusted razor wire.
—Tim Craig The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2026
First baseman Betsy Jack and most of her nine fellow seniors on this year’s roster toiled largely in the background for a record-setting season in 2025 as Oswego won the program’s first state title.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
For more than 20 years, county officials have planned for, and toiled with, what to do with the rare swath of developable land outside of Yuba City, as most of the unincorporated county has been designated as too flood prone for development.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toiled
Verb
-
Cade Cavalli, who struck out 10 in each of his previous two starts, labored his way through four innings, and the offense failed to convert on early opportunities.—
Danielle Allentuck,
Washington Post,
6 May 2026
-
In Qatar, a 27-year-old Bangladeshi factory worker labored through 12-hour shifts as missiles flew overhead.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The more epistemically rigorous elements in the coalition have struggled to make common cause with these lower-information voters.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
Both struggled with foul trouble, and the Knicks outscored Philly 56-30 in the paint, yet the Sixers were still a few baskets away from evening the best-of-seven series.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Snell worked around Kim’s throwing error in the third to pitch a scoreless third and his day was done after 77 pitches.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
-
After his playing days were over, Kerr worked as a basketball analyst for TNT, then was an executive with the Suns from 2007-10.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toiled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toiled. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
