1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
faced with the toilsome task of cleaning out her deceased father's homestead
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
this is the most toilsome part of the construction, so we'll go slowly to make sure we're doing it right
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of toilsome
Meanwhile, Republicans lacked the votes to pass anything so their amendments tended to be trollish and toilsome fliers meant to either own the libs or just annoy the legislators.
—
Matt Ford, The New Republic, 9 Aug. 2022
Though the third quarter was significantly better for Netflix than its previous quarter, the company signaled that there could be toilsome times ahead.
—Natalie Jarvey, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Oct. 2019
Matt Ford, The New Republic, 9 Aug. 2022
Though the third quarter was significantly better for Netflix than its previous quarter, the company signaled that there could be toilsome times ahead.
—Natalie Jarvey, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toilsome
Adjective
-
Such claims of penury, however, were difficult to square with certain facts.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Over time, my relationship with my wife has become very difficult.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Cubs are trying to survive this challenging stretch as they have been decimated by pitching injuries.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
In kitchens around the country, chefs are translating this novelty into dishes that aren’t too challenging to get behind.—
Jaia Clingham-David,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Binance has said that the firings of the investigators were unrelated to their findings on Iranian flows, and that the crypto exchange maintains a rigorous compliance program.—
Ben Weiss,
Fortune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal finance products.—
Jasmin Suknanan,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
About 20 international teams with gather at the Swiss Army’s training area, where their robots will be pushed through extreme terrain and realistic military scenarios at one of Europe’s most demanding field trials for unmanned systems.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Apr. 2026
-
This is a high-stress, physically demanding profession, and our members are already overworked and underpaid.—
Tara Lynch,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There were others like it against Ohtani as well, showing the Mets are still fouling off tough pitches and trying to keep at-bats alive, and some standout defensive plays made as well.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The toughest day belonged to someone who didn't even play.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Working with Dstl and the Army’s 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search), the objective is to explore new technologies to find ways to speed up and make safe the arduous task of dealing with high explosives.—
David Szondy
April 11,
New Atlas,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Hours of arduous game prep was finished.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
His performance was badly needed on a night where runs were hard to come by for both sides, and after the game went to extra innings still scoreless the Red Sox finally broke through with a walk-off single by Masataka Yoshida in the bottom of the 10th to win 1-0.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
-
But some days are harder than others.—
Kelsy Mittauer,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Robert Campbell built the Mill Creek operation around 1790 specifically to produce lumber and farm crops for sale to the island, replacing laborious hand‑sawing as demand exploded after the British moved Fort Michilimackinac there in 1781.—
Andy Morrison,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
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After a couple of laborious outings, the only damage Early allowed on Wednesday came courtesy of Martin’s first-inning solo shot.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toilsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toilsome. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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