as in labor
very hard or unpleasant work
the donkeywork involved in setting up one's own start-up software firm
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for donkeywork
Noun
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Tuesday marks California's inaugural Farmworkers Day, which was formally approved last week to replace Cesar Chavez Day after serious allegations against the late labor leader came to light.—
Charlie Lapastora,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026 -
Two days later, labor leaders joined a handful of US lawmakers in a DC hotel ballroom to strategize how to fight back as AI threatens to displace workers and remake the global economy.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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At a Tuesday afternoon news conference in Sacramento City Hall, the mother and daughter stood beside their attorney, immigration advocates and local lawmakers — many of whom were involved in a weeks-long effort to bring her home.—
Mathew Miranda
Updated March 31,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Of course, the usual efforts around going plastic-free and energy-efficient are in place.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Speaking in New York City on Tuesday, Mahama was referring to moves such as the dismantling of slavery exhibits, the restoration of Confederate statues, and the removal of Black history courses from school curricula, Reuters reported.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
25 Mar. 2026
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The law allowed new states to choose whether to be slave or free, bringing the prospect of slavery to the Great Plains.—
Bill Steiden,
Des Moines Register,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Just two weeks ago, Gary Woodland decided ot shared his struggles with post traumatic stress disorder, brought on after a September 2023 surgery, which involved a baseball-sized hole cut from the side of his head, to remove a brain lesion.—
Andrew McCarty,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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And the struggles up front affected what was already troublesome quarterback play after Conner Harrell’s knee injury in Week 4.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Eating either too many or not enough calories can contribute to fatigue, injuries, illness, poor performance and prolonged recovery from sports injuries.—
Dr. Sarah Kinsella,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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He was removed with what was called right arm fatigue.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In the intimate snapshot, Steinfeld, clad in a bump-baring striped shirt and sweat shorts, peers at Allen over her mug.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
3 Apr. 2026
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Even without a major spill, everyday wear and tear including sweat, pets, and sticky fingers leaves its mark (or many marks) on the cotton, microfiber, leather, or other common couch upholstery facing daily use.—
Bridget Reed Morawski,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Hurts Like Hell has a kind of mythic separation from the daily grind that was so present in Cornfield’s earlier work.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
31 Mar. 2026
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He's been in the grind and on the journey for a long time, playing guitar, writing and even doing some dancing for other headliners.—
Tony Peterson,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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One associate dean couched the misstep as a result of learning pains tied to the adoption of new technology.—
Emily Hodgson Anderson,
The Conversation,
25 Mar. 2026
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Tagovailoa, sporting a gray T-shirt and white ball cap, went through the pains and shortcomings of his past, his expectations for 2026 and the quarterback battle that awaits him in Flowery Branch.—
Daniel Flick,
AJC.com,
24 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Donkeywork.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donkeywork. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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