1
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
no greater travail than that of parents who have suffered the death of a child
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in labor
very hard or unpleasant work
these villagers now have decent housing, so our travail has not been in vain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in childbirth
the act or process of giving birth to children
a midwife assisted her throughout her long travail
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to labor
to devote serious and sustained effort
Labor Day is the day on which we recognize those men and women who daily travail with little appreciation or compensation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of travail
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2026
Article continues below ‘The Godfather’ (1972) Watch On Director Francis Ford Coppola’s gangster epic, an adaptation of Mario Puzo’s best-selling 1969 novel, offers a sweeping look at the travails of the Corleone mafia family.
—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
29 Apr. 2026
Yue Wang,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
For Zegler, making her British stage debut, Evita must seem like a haven of sorts after her travails with the controversy that grew around Snow White, where her casting was subject to racist attacks on social media about her Colombian heritage.
—
Sarah Crompton,
Vogue,
16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for travail
Noun
But through all the travails of a second consecutive 10th-place finish, developmental strides were made, tangible growth spurts for what could follow.
—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2026
Article continues below ‘The Godfather’ (1972) Watch On Director Francis Ford Coppola’s gangster epic, an adaptation of Mario Puzo’s best-selling 1969 novel, offers a sweeping look at the travails of the Corleone mafia family.
—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
Zhong Shanshan, founder and chairman of beverage giant Nongfu Spring, has reclaimed his crown as China’s richest person amid a turnaround of his business and family travails at top rival Hangzhou Wahaha Group.
—
Yue Wang,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
For Zegler, making her British stage debut, Evita must seem like a haven of sorts after her travails with the controversy that grew around Snow White, where her casting was subject to racist attacks on social media about her Colombian heritage.
—
Sarah Crompton,
Vogue,
16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for travail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for travail
Noun
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The Hoffmans are suing Boelter for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
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Not to mention smoking hot Hart Bochner as the himbo-in-distress.
Noun
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Andres Chait, is facing labor deals that will strain future finances.
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The spokesperson noted that labor inspections of working conditions have increased and encouraged houses to remain vigilant and fully compliant with regulations.
Noun
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Doulas practice across the country to assist patients before, during, and after childbirth, particularly with their emotional and physical needs.
-
After the death of Viserys’ wife and Rhaenyra’s mother Aemma during childbirth, Rhaenyra is named heir to the throne during a time where no woman had been named heir before.
Verb
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In addition, composters are struggling with the amount of plastic and other debris that people and businesses put in the food waste bins.
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Cristiano Ronaldo looks to be in top form after struggling in his World Cup opener, scoring two goals already today.
Noun
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The agony of Sudan runs deep; its history is crisscrossed with blood.
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Or at least movies about soccer can, engaging with themes of race and gender, ego, hubris, economics, politics, fandom, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat — as well as, of course, unadulterated athleticism.
Noun
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A bit of a surprise here, as the Warriors were reportedly shopping the 11th pick in an effort to bolster their roster with a win-now player.
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The search stems from a years-long effort by authorities to revisit information connected to Mansfield, whose family lived on Centerwood Avenue in Hernando County.
Verb
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Born in Brooklyn, NY, on April 4, 1932, Davis was a striving student who attended New York University on a full scholarship, and graduated magna cum laude.
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Nolan seems to be striving for geographic realism interspersed with violent and fantastic episodes.
Noun
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Their mother cried out in anguish.
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Meanwhile, hundreds remained missing, leading to a wave of anguish among relatives and friends.
Cite this Entry
“Travail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/travail. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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