TOILSOME Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

toilsome

adjective

ˈtȯi(-ə)l-səm

Definition of toilsome

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toilsome

Adjective

Establishing that sense of familiarity requires time spent playing and training together, something made more difficult by a constant carousel of new signings.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Nugraha said difficult terrain has complicated efforts, with some hotspots located on steep volcanic slopes that are difficult to reach by land.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

Enforcing the new ordinance is not as challenging as critics charge, Boone said.

— Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026
In Tony, Bourdain not only flees to Provincetown to follow Nancy, but also to escape his challenging relationship with his parents, Gladys and Pierre Bourdain.

— Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

Audit Before You Affirm (or Reject) Before issuing a public statement, conduct a rigorous internal review across all seven areas.

— David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
In fact, there is no federal law against providing medical care for transgender adolescents according to the rigorous standards of care.

— Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of rigorous

Adjective

By automating repetitive, physically demanding and highly variable tasks, intelligent robotics allows experienced people to focus on the work where their judgment and expertise create the greatest value.

— Ariyan Kabir, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
However, rather than viewing the demanding conditions as a disadvantage, Simmons believes the heat can become an advantage for the Panthers.

— Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of demanding

Adjective

That left the debtor having to prove the negative that the debtor really didn't have any way to re-establish control over trust assets, and such was (and still is) a very tough sell.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Lombard also helped turn a double play in the second inning and handled another tough one-hopper hit by Cesar Prieto in the seventh.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Chapman faces an arduous road to recovery, especially for a player known for his agility on defense.

— Devin Bradshaw, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2026
This unique union of cultures and flavors didn’t just collide in the kitchen one day—these dishes required long, arduous, life-changing journeys in order to land before me.

— Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of arduous

Adjective

Loyalty programs can become harder to understand when members are confronted with dozens of offers that have little connection to the brand’s identity.

— Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Miami’s roster Saturday was depleted as German Berterame is out on concussion protocol after a hard hit against Montreal that resulted in him exiting the field in an ambulance.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of hard

Adjective

In The Odyssey, Odysseus (Matt Damon) serves in the Trojan war, and his laborious journey home highlights how imperialism makes villains out of us all, no matter how good our intentions.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026
The European Union and the United States took one ultra-laborious step forward in ratifying their bilateral trade deal in late June.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 23 July 2026

Definition of laborious

Browse Nearby Words

toils

toilsome

token

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Style

“Toilsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toilsome. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of toilsome

adjective

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