: produced or performed with labor
labored breathing
also
: lacking ease of expression
a labored speech
Examples of labored in a Sentence
The patient's symptoms included a rapid pulse and labored breathing.
The movie's dialogue seems very labored.
Recent Examples on the Web
Every labored breath and painful cough is a reminder that their parents did everything right and relied on the immunity of those around them.
—
Sarah Marsicek, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Produced by Brad Cook (Mavis Staples, Bon Iver), the album leans into uncluttered arrangements, raw performances and songs that feel lived-in rather than labored over.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 22 Apr. 2026
But Souled American’s music doesn’t feel labored-over or obsessive.
—Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026
This is where Hathaway’s performance comes to life, her body possessed into a symphony of slamming bones and labored breathing that give physical dimension to the power of creative force.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for labored
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Sarah Marsicek, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
Produced by Brad Cook (Mavis Staples, Bon Iver), the album leans into uncluttered arrangements, raw performances and songs that feel lived-in rather than labored over.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 22 Apr. 2026
But Souled American’s music doesn’t feel labored-over or obsessive.
—Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026
This is where Hathaway’s performance comes to life, her body possessed into a symphony of slamming bones and labored breathing that give physical dimension to the power of creative force.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for labored
Cite this Entry
“Labored.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/labored. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
labored
adjective
la·bored
ˈlā-bərd 
: produced or performed with difficulty or strain
labored breathing
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