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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as in labors
to devote serious and sustained effort
toiled for many years on the mammoth outdoor sculpture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of toils
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
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
The film unfolds from the perspective of an eight-year-old girl named Qing (Aline Chen), who lives and works the land with her mother, Hongmei (Li Yanxi), while her father toils in a factory in a faraway city.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025
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
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
The film unfolds from the perspective of an eight-year-old girl named Qing (Aline Chen), who lives and works the land with her mother, Hongmei (Li Yanxi), while her father toils in a factory in a faraway city.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toils
Noun
-
But every week could bring a new philosophical-technical tangle.—
Eric Boodman,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Florida’s chances of winning a mid-January game at Vanderbilt were slipping when video coordinator Nolan Crist spotted an on-court tangle.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Every man and woman who labors in the construction industry deserves that.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And so many people back then were in a trap.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
These torons act as microscopic traps for light.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The 8-episode first season charts the improbable ascent of Joe and Rose Kennedy and their nine children, including rebellious second son Jack, who struggles to escape the shadow of his golden boy older brother.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
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Loose ends and compelling payoffs await after a subdued and slow-ish first frame that struggles with a balance between dark brooding and uneven lull.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Randolph’s body vaulted off the car, creating a web of cracks in the driver’s side windshield.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 27,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The scandal is now expanding into an international investigation, placing Miami at the center of a complex web of shell companies, offshore transfers and opaque financial flows.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Speaking of government secrets, budget some time for the National Atomic Testing Museum, which strives to educate the public about the Nevada Test Site (now called the Nevada National Security Site).—
Mindy Sink,
Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2026
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Their concierge service strives to provide anything guests may require, from a wellness network of massage therapists to a partnership with a local gym.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The first year is particularly dangerous for whales due to a combination of factors, including boat strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and ingesting plastic.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
-
These days, sei whales are threatened by propeller strikes from seagoing vessels, entanglement in fishing gear, underwater noise from human activity and changing environmental conditions.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In University City, dinner often works differently.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
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Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Teamwork works best when folks — including you — keep their promises.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toils. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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