Synonyms of laborious

laborious

adjective

lə-ˈbȯr-ē-əs 

1

as in diligent

involved in often constant activity

the volunteers have been commendably laborious in their cleanup of the beach

Synonyms & Similar Words

• diligent
• busy
• engaged
• employed
• industrious
• assiduous
• occupied
• active
• working
• preoccupied
• sedulous
• bustling
• immersed
• hopping
• tied-up
• concentrating
• absorbed
• focused
• vigorous
• buzzing
• operational
• lively
• engrossed
• animated
• vibrant
• humming
• going
• energetic
• operating
• functional
• operative
• functioning
• indefatigable
• tireless
• untiring
• knee-deep
• swamped
• flourishing
• hardworking
• thriving
• intent
• happening
• astir
• running
• living
• alive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• idle
• unemployed
• inactive
• free
• unoccupied
• lifeless
• slow
• sleepy
• latent
• passive
• unbusy
• quiescent
• dormant
• dull
• inert
• asleep
• dead
• inoperative
• nonoperating

2

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort

the laborious task of cleaning up the oil spill

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difficult
• challenging
• tough
• rigorous
• hard
• formidable
• demanding
• complicated
• arduous
• heavy
• effortful
• strenuous
• rough
• rugged
• toilsome
• sweaty
• exhausting
• painful
• grueling
• severe
• backbreaking
• herculean
• intricate
• exacting
• testing
• tall
• uphill
• murderous
• complex
• stiff
• serious
• killer
• annoying
• problematic
• stressful
• hellacious
• moiling
• elusive
• stubborn
• onerous
• tricky
• burdensome
• pick-and-shovel
• Augean
• grim
• oppressive
• brutal
• troublesome
• involved
• abstruse
• abstract
• thorny
• irksome
• labored
• recondite
• insoluble
• hairy
• bruising
• opaque
• knotty
• tight
• vexatious
• strict
• trying
• bothersome
• ticklish
• stringent
• spiny
• distressing
• taxing
• cruel
• grievous
• inhuman

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• simple
• effortless
• cheap
• light
• soft
• mindless
• undemanding
• facile
• uncomplicated
• manageable
• clear
• elementary
• doable
• achievable
• smooth
• gentle
• painless
• soothing
• relaxed
• comforting
• accessible
• friendly
• user-friendly
• idiotproof

3

as in challenging

requiring much time, effort, or careful attention

that report is the product of months of laborious research

Synonyms & Similar Words

• challenging
• difficult
• demanding
• arduous
• onerous
• burdensome
• tough
• hard
• exacting
• toilsome
• grueling
• taxing
• strenuous
• formidable
• killing
• persnickety
• testing
• rigorous
• oppressive
• herculean
• rough
• stringent
• rugged
• stiff
• trying
• strict
• severe
• rigid
• stern

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• light
• undemanding
• easy
• simple
• smooth
• unchallenging
• effortless
• facile
• nondemanding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of laborious

Within that room unfolds the tale of the Swiss architect of the title, told in occasionally laborious ways. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026

In others, careful design and laborious rock work had drained and held it together well. — Greg Borowski, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Chan’s parents always treated their back pain from laborious food industry jobs with acupuncture and cupping, the practice of using cups or suction on the skin to stimulate blood flow and the flow of chi, or energy. — Cara Kelly, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Ethan Pecko overcame a laborious first inning to earn his first big league win. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026