DONKEYWORK Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

donkeywork

noun

ˈdäŋ-kē-ˌwərk

Definition of donkeywork

as in labor

very hard or unpleasant work the donkeywork involved in setting up one's own start-up software firm

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for donkeywork

Noun

Rising costs, shrinking market Rising costs and labor shortages have become major challenges for Japanese companies in the post-pandemic business environment, said Harumi Taguchi, principal economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
Throughout the world, rapidly aging countries have resorted to foreign labor to fill jobs left vacant by shrinking workforces and to care for surging elderly populations.

— Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of labor

Noun

For decades, the European Union has led the world in implementing policies designed to cut emissions, creating the world’s most important price on carbon and crafting the rules of the road for a wide range of regulatory efforts.

— Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
Pan, a pediatrician, made national headlines while in the Legislature for leading California’s efforts to enact strict school vaccine laws.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of effort

Noun

Six months later, the ratification of the 13th Amendment permanently ended slavery in the United States.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Many abolitionists and Quakers – who fought to ban slavery – initially supported the colonization society’s removal efforts as a means for helping Black residents escape the cruelty of American laws, especially the Fugitive Slave Acts.

— Karen Masterson, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of slavery

Noun

Both residents and politicians fear the court ruling would tarnish Kosovo's independence struggle.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Evidence at the crime scene led investigators to believe there had likely been a struggle between Feldman and her killer leading up her death, suggesting that Feldman had fought hard.

— Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of struggle

Noun

But Haslem was dripping sweat after the Heat’s training camp practices this week at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
New Atlas recently covered an experimental smart ring developed at UC San Diego that goes beyond optical sensing entirely, analysing sweat for biomarkers including glucose and ketones.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of sweat

Noun

In my eyes, Las Vegas looks like a postseason team, which means this tough, grind-it-out win could be something the Chiefs have to deal with not only two more times this season but for the foreseeable future.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026
During the long grind of an 82-game NBA regular season, the Heat’s hope is this players-only getaway marks the start of a successful year after missing the playoffs last season for the first time since 2019.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of grind

Noun

With exceptional performances from the entire cast and homages to musical legends like Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson, Bioh and White present a reflection of the Black female experience in all of its dazzling idiosyncrasies, triumphs and pains.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
Some people spend hundreds on first-class upgrades to feel better, but a pair of lightweight compression socks can prevent a lot of the pains that come with long travel days—even if you’re stuck in economy.

— Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of pains

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Browse Nearby Words

donkeys

donkeywork

donkeyworks

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“Donkeywork.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donkeywork. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of donkeywork

noun

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