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
Those past records found the artist toiling through major personal losses, including his mother in 2016 and his sister in 2019.
—
Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026
After a decade of toiling largely behind the scenes, David decided to take some credit.
—Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
In Ishmaelle’s case that meant toiling away in poverty for the rest of her life back in Kent.
—Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
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
Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026
After a decade of toiling largely behind the scenes, David decided to take some credit.
—Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
In Ishmaelle’s case that meant toiling away in poverty for the rest of her life back in Kent.
—Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toiling
Verb
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In the summer of 2024, UNICEF’s representative in Congo suggested that 361,000 children might be laboring in mines in southern Congo, though this number seems implausibly high and drew quick opprobrium from Congolese NGOs that work on the issue.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
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What viewers didn’t see was the 40 hours Daniels spent laboring on the project from inside a bomb shelter during a 2025 missile attack in Kyiv.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2026
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
-
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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What started off as a striving novelty turned into something genuinely useful, and YouTube viewers took notice.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
31 Jan. 2026
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This computer software company is striving to make Linux more profitable, stable and secure by changing the way data centers and hosting companies use the technology.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
29 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 1 Feb. 2026.
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