as in meticulous
taking, showing, or involving great care and effort
she was always painstaking about her work
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in effort
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of painstaking
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2026
With a boss so demanding and painstaking, finding another ideal fit is paramount.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Over nearly a week, divers and other emergency personnel recovered all of the victims from about 8 feet of water and undertook the painstaking task of identification.
—Gary Fields, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
The painstaking process yielded about 15 minutes of animation at a rate of four to seven seconds per day.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for painstaking
Adjective
Despite the painstaking work, Franco describes the transformation as deeply satisfying.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2026
With a boss so demanding and painstaking, finding another ideal fit is paramount.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Over nearly a week, divers and other emergency personnel recovered all of the victims from about 8 feet of water and undertook the painstaking task of identification.
—Gary Fields, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
The painstaking process yielded about 15 minutes of animation at a rate of four to seven seconds per day.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for painstaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for painstaking
Adjective
-
The music was intimidating—funk and bebop, Afro-Caribbean—but Don was patient, somehow both meticulous and mellow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Reznor has always been meticulous about structure.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The collar will help scientists understand the movement patterns and reproductive behavior of the Sierra Nevada red fox, providing key insights to guide conservation efforts.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The former county clerk in Colorado was convicted of multiple crimes for letting someone access data from a secure voting system in an effort to prove unsubstantiated 2020 election conspiracies.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
As with any sauce, be careful not to over-reduce.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And not only through month-long vacations and pains au chocolat.—
Hannah Seligson,
Vanity Fair,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The Guy, as Sinclair is known on the show, sells to everyone, stressed-out 20-something assistant and cross-dressing stay-at-home dad alike, witnessing their private joys and pains and shortcomings and judging no one.—
Ezra Marcus,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Those places were unregulated, untaxed and, typically, not particularly conscientious about checking ID.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Many states are new enacting or widening already broad religious and conscientious exemptions.—
Richard Hughes IV,
STAT,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Personality traits such as mental toughness, discipline, high pain tolerance and persistence may also lead to worsened eating disorder risk and behaviors in athletes.—
Emily Hemendinger,
The Conversation,
13 Feb. 2026
-
It’s widely understood that to shop secondhand is to enter into a treasure hunt, where messiness is permitted and persistence is rewarded with bargains and unique items.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
It’s backed by nearly 7,500 glowing five-star reviews from guac-loving Amazon shoppers who praise the ProKeeper for its effectiveness, size, and easy-to-clean design.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Feb. 2026
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With the right support and encouragement, Heily has the potential to continue thriving, growing her creativity, and building strong connections with a loving, permanent family.—
MARE Staff,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The cases placed a spotlight on homeschooling, but some advocates said that homeschool parents are largely highly diligent about educating their children and should not be penalized for the other cases.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The diligent work of our law enforcement partners time and again uncovers those attempting to hide behind a computer screen.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Painstaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/painstaking. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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