toils 1 of 2

plural of toil
as in tangle
something that catches and holds a married woman hopelessly caught in the toils of an extramarital affair

Synonyms & Similar Words

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toils

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of toil

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 toils
Noun
There has to be a chance that Jos Buttler’s toils in Sri Lanka and India represent his last ventures on the international stage, and therefore the end of an era. Paul Newman, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026 Both were premised on the idea of frictionless ease, liberating their users from outmoded toils. Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026 The conceit of narrating a year in one’s life through the toils and sensations of the kitchen is one that many have taken up before. Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
The silent sci-fi film, which depicts a dystopian future in which the wealthy upper class prospers in a utopia while the working class lives and toils in a dismal underground society, was released in theaters in 1927. Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026 While Alina toils in the greenhouses, Lucian makes new friends. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 May 2026 Yoriko toils in anonymity in Nagi as a sculptor of human figures hewn from raw blocks of wood. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026 Union itself released a dramatic trailer set in a surgical amphitheater in which a medical team toils away at the sneaker. Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 4 Feb. 2026 Several Democratic incumbents are seeing their young primary opponents boast impressive fundraising numbers as the party toils between placing its faith in its incumbent establishment or in a future featuring younger, more progressive candidates. Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toils
Noun
  • Fire up the grill, toast the buns and lean into indulgence with meaty beef patties layered beneath smoky bacon, oozing cheese and sweet onions softened to a slippery tangle.
    Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
  • Ionic technology helps regulate heat and flatten thick hair types while eliminating frizz, and the ceramic plates deliver a shiny, snag-free finish that's especially useful for thick hair prone to tangles.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Every man and woman who labors in the construction industry deserves that.
    Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The lone bright spot from the midfield was the solid presence of Pedri who played out of position and still had a decent all-around performance, but even he was criticized by many on social media for falling into a familiar trap.
    Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
  • Golden State sent more traps than usual and didn’t allow the former Notre Dame standout to get clean looks at the rim or from the 3-point line.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • The introvert who generates extraordinary individual insight but struggles to inspire large groups gets an extroverted deputy to do the rallying.
    Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • When Little John struggles to describe his dream girl, Robin instructs his protegee to sketch an image with words.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • The complicated web of accusations is laid out in a series of lawsuits filed in Florida, Nevada and California.
    Michelle Marchante June 19, Miami Herald, 19 June 2026
  • Bots now outnumber humans online — 53% of web traffic, and climbing.
    Renana Ashkenazi, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Alan Stanton said the conservative county strives not to overregulate in general.
    John Aguilar, Denver Post, 24 June 2026
  • New legislation introduced by a bipartisan group of senators strives to add new aircraft to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hurricane Hunter fleet and codify the agency’s role in meteorological research.
    Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • Demonstrating this in space will be challenging, since quantum states are delicate and entanglement can be disrupted by factors such as environmental temperature and radiation.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 19 June 2026
  • This transit is bringing emphasis to themes of rest, healing and your secrets, along with your intimate unions and emotional entanglements.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • Louis-Gabriel Nouchi adds that organizing well in advance allows the team to work on a lighter schedule this week, a far cry from the fashion stereotype that everyone works around the clock in the days leading up to a show.
    Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 23 June 2026
  • Salicylic acid works deep within pores to tackle buildup, while lactic acid smooths rough texture and refines skin’s surface, leaving skin looking clearer and feeling smoother in just a few swipes.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Toils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toils. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

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