as in efforts
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 donkeyworks
Noun
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At the same time, the county is kickstarting public outreach efforts for the project, including monthly informational Zoom meetings and door-to-door outreach.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026 -
Twenty years later, Edward Threatt, whose father once ran a bar and restaurant next to the station, led his family’s efforts to restore the building, aided by grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and other organizations.—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Vivian, who is in her thirties, wore a black baseball cap, loose sweats, and a thick fur coat twice her size.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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The adjustable drawstring shorts have an elastic waistband for comfort, while the rayon fabric helps the set keep its shape and look more polished than terrycloth or sweats.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Johnson is consistent in mirroring the release from his pedal and rarely labors when transitioning with route breaks.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
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Residents need relief from high rates and the city itself labors under a hefty and ever-rising power bill, adding tens of millions to its deficit.—
Craig D. Rose,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Iran’s political leadership has been at pains to dispel reports of infighting and to project a unified approach to the country’s military objectives and negotiating strategy.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
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The pressures of fame and the pains of Michael’s brand of friendlessness are barely explored, beyond the requisite scenes of screaming fans crowding outside the family estate and a terrified Michael attempting to get away from them (while still politely waving).—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There has to be a chance that Jos Buttler’s toils in Sri Lanka and India represent his last ventures on the international stage, and therefore the end of an era.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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Both were premised on the idea of frictionless ease, liberating their users from outmoded toils.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Neighbors and other observers in the area blew whistles, honked horns and yelled outrage, with some recording the detention from a distance, but the agents — wearing military-style fatigues and equipment — got the 57-year-old into a vehicle and drove away.—
Mark Vancleave,
Twin Cities,
13 Apr. 2026
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Four weeks earlier, agents had arrived in Chicago with military fatigues, face masks, armored vehicles, and rifles.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Ahmad plays Shah Latif, a British Pakistani actor, who, owing to the exertions of his faithful, often frustrated agent, Felicia (Weruche Opia), is improbably auditioning to be the next James Bond.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
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That, plus an extra day to recover from their European exertions, with Forest also going to extra time and penalties in Denmark on Thursday, leads me to switch to a home win.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This is perfect for a small household that just needs enough grinds for one pot of coffee at a time.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
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After using your coffee maker, clean the basin where the grinds go as well as the coffee pot using warm, soapy water.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
18 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Donkeyworks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/donkeyworks. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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