as in labored
to devote serious and sustained effort
grubbing away at the yard work before the first snow of the season
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grubbed
Verb
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When the novel opens in Florence, in 1557, the body of the painter Jacopo da Pontormo lies in the chapel of San Lorenzo—in front of the frescoes he’d labored over for a decade, with a painter’s chisel stuck in his heart.—
Bekah Waalkes,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2026 -
Johnson labored through a tender calf, cramping and fatigue.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The results showed that while standard chemical leaching struggled without gravity to move fluids, the microbes didn’t blink.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
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The passenger was able to exit the truck while the suspect, still armed with the knife, struggled with the driver.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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More famously, Sven Marquardt, worked as a selector for Berghain for almost two decades.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
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The move to Connecticut came later, and Bessette also worked throughout her teen-age years.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Use extra caution while driving, as cold temperatures and wind can create icy road conditions, and snow plowed to the roadway edges may reduce sight lines at intersection.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
6 Feb. 2026
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The city says more than 300 alleys have been plowed so far.—
Tara Lynch,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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One month later, Turning Point’s flagship conference descended into recriminations over the very controversies and conspiracies that its founder had endeavored so assiduously to suppress.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2026
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During his short time in office, Garfield endeavored to clean up the government.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Russian government has tried to block Telegram before, including in 2018.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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And as referenced above, the president tried to overturn the 2020 election.—
David M. Drucker,
Twin Cities,
11 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Grubbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grubbed. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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