as in laboring
to devote serious and sustained effort
toiled for many years on the mammoth outdoor sculpture
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Recent Examples of toiling
But for those who’d been toiling away on humanoid robots for decades, Musk’s announcement was something more than a publicity stunt.
—
James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Between 1906 and 1935, thousands of men – and later women – left their hometowns in the Ilocos and Visayas regions of the Philippines for Hawaii, toiling on plantations alongside other immigrant workers.
—Sam Vong, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
In the 106 years since, humanity has remained captivated by the notion that machines could take over our daily work, as well as by the grim but entertaining idea that toiling automata will get murderously sick of picking up laundry.
—David M. Ewalt, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
But while everyone else in his onscreen family is always dressed in their southern best, it is often remarked that Cooper — who is frequently toiling at the oil fields — smells bad or needs a shower and deodorant.
—William Earl, Variety, 14 Dec. 2025
Somebody who lands a dream career in their 30s might still be toiling away in older adulthood, unable to afford retirement.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2025
For every glossy star that graces the screen, there are hundreds of artists toiling away in dark editing rooms and squinting at computer screens to make movie magic possible.
—Ew Staff December 5, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Dec. 2025
The affair grows less decorous in farcical scenes of upstairs and downstairs life — kitchen staff toiling away on blunts, a trigger-happy shooting party, and cockney pub patrons breaking out in song — and the various side plots.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 3 Dec. 2025
After toiling in the minors for seven years, with teams from Venezuela to the Pacific Northwest, Medina made his debut with the Mariners in April 2013.
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Between 1906 and 1935, thousands of men – and later women – left their hometowns in the Ilocos and Visayas regions of the Philippines for Hawaii, toiling on plantations alongside other immigrant workers.
—Sam Vong, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025
In the 106 years since, humanity has remained captivated by the notion that machines could take over our daily work, as well as by the grim but entertaining idea that toiling automata will get murderously sick of picking up laundry.
—David M. Ewalt, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
But while everyone else in his onscreen family is always dressed in their southern best, it is often remarked that Cooper — who is frequently toiling at the oil fields — smells bad or needs a shower and deodorant.
—William Earl, Variety, 14 Dec. 2025
Somebody who lands a dream career in their 30s might still be toiling away in older adulthood, unable to afford retirement.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2025
For every glossy star that graces the screen, there are hundreds of artists toiling away in dark editing rooms and squinting at computer screens to make movie magic possible.
—Ew Staff December 5, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Dec. 2025
The affair grows less decorous in farcical scenes of upstairs and downstairs life — kitchen staff toiling away on blunts, a trigger-happy shooting party, and cockney pub patrons breaking out in song — and the various side plots.
—Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 3 Dec. 2025
After toiling in the minors for seven years, with teams from Venezuela to the Pacific Northwest, Medina made his debut with the Mariners in April 2013.
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toiling
Verb
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That’s right, the Patriot did in two seasons what the Dolphins have been laboring since 2008 to achieve.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
16 Dec. 2025
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Mobley had been laboring to expand his range all offseason, launching thousands of 3s.—
Mirin Fader,
New York Times,
19 Nov. 2025
Verb
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However, the technology has been moving faster than state regulations can accommodate, and lawmakers have been struggling to walk the line between innovation and patient safety.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
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And, for many borrowers struggling with debt, exploring alternatives like debt settlement or consolidation may offer significant relief without the complications that bankruptcy rules can create.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For instance, energy-rich Saudi Arabia is striving to become the third largest AI market in the world, while leading players in France and Israel are pledging to lead in specialized AI applications.—
Boris Babic,
Fortune,
3 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, first-year head coach Bucky McMillan is striving to win his third straight conference title.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hardemon, working with Miami City Commission Chairwoman Christine King and CRA Executive Director James McQueen, imagined a future that put Overtown at the center of art and innovation.—
Dorothy Jenkins Fields,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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Not working with the federal agency is not the response the City of Pittsburgh Republican Committee wanted to hear.—
Chris Hoffman,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toiling. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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