PAINSTAKING Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

painstaking 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpān-ˌstā-kiŋ

Definition of painstaking

as in meticulous

taking, showing, or involving great care and effort she was always painstaking about her work

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

painstaking

2 of 2

noun

as in effort

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Dissimilar Words

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 painstaking

Adjective

Finding an answer still requires the painstaking work of formulation, preclinical testing, clinical research, and regulatory review. — Emma Clapp, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 The process is so painstaking even a single mistake can ruin an entire dial. — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2026 Just boiling things down to that, and to the voice and the lip sync is painstaking. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 New technologies are being disseminated ever more quickly, and the machinery of politics and law delivers accountability at best intermittently, and then only at a painstaking crawl. — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for painstaking

Recent Examples of Synonyms for painstaking

Adjective

The glitzy brand, which started with its Singapore flagship in 1887, is known for its meticulous opulence and highly personalized service.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
Everett is meticulous and thorough, if eccentric, carefully considering all kinds of little details for his character.

— Kyle Maclachlan, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of meticulous

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

Adjective

Democratic congressional candidates will also need to be careful about balancing partisan messages to their base with more measured appeals to independent voters.

— Julio Borquez, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
But perhaps the biggest challenge of all was being extremely careful not to pass moral judgment on the story or any of the characters being portrayed.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of careful

Adjective

The output of such organizations affects everyone, and a conscientious official may reasonably fear that exiting in a crisis will only accelerate it.

— Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Almost 7% of Tarrant County kindergarteners had a conscientious exemption to at least one vaccine in the 2025-26 school year, up from 3% five years ago, according to state data.

— Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of conscientious

Adjective

Nina Pacchia, Cutter’s wife, told KABC-TV that her husband was adventurous and loving.

— Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Hugs of greeting, hugs of restraint Adults who knew Christian Williams described him as a sweet and loving kid, with a round, cherubic face.

— Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of loving

Adjective

There are no straightforward steps like in the days when a diligent worker could land a job at a good company, work hard to get promoted and hope to climb the corporate ladder.

— Julia Carpenter, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Edwards said Brown was diligent in going to work and didn’t worry about the weather at all.

— Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 27 Sep. 2026