1
as in diligent
involved in often constant activity
the volunteers have been commendably laborious in their cleanup of the beach
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2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
the laborious task of cleaning up the oil spill
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3
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
that report is the product of months of laborious research
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of laborious
Robert Campbell built the Mill Creek operation around 1790 specifically to produce lumber and farm crops for sale to the island, replacing laborious hand‑sawing as demand exploded after the British moved Fort Michilimackinac there in 1781.
—
Andy Morrison, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Regulatory shortcuts exist that would allow the FDA to skip the more laborious approval process.
—Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 3 Apr. 2026
This is a laborious process, especially for a one-off usage — a scale-minded Silicon Valley firm would have no truck with it — and can take up to a month and involve some 300,000 images.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
Denver’s All-Star point guard fouled out early in overtime after scoring only five laborious points.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for laborious
Andy Morrison, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Regulatory shortcuts exist that would allow the FDA to skip the more laborious approval process.
—Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 3 Apr. 2026
This is a laborious process, especially for a one-off usage — a scale-minded Silicon Valley firm would have no truck with it — and can take up to a month and involve some 300,000 images.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
Denver’s All-Star point guard fouled out early in overtime after scoring only five laborious points.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for laborious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laborious
Adjective
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These trees need proper attention to grow to their full potential—pruning is essential, as is being diligent against pests.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Defenseman Jacob Moverare was highlighted with the Daryl Evans Youth Hockey Service Award for his diligent and enthusiastic work with the Kings’ learn-to-play program.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But with the Lightning taking back home-ice advantage with this win and the series shifting back to Tampa, where Cooper will have full control of the matchup, the task becomes that much more difficult for the Suzuki line.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Last year, Blackstone President and COO Jon Gray also told new analysts that working hard and being collaborative are essential skills for success in today’s challenging job market.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
These Yiddish phrases have gotten me through many challenging situations.—
Gilda Dangot-Simpkin,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lucas Giolito had a busy first full day in the Padres organization.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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As always, our NASCAR experts, Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi, took time out of their busy schedules to answer all our Talladega questions.—
Jordan Bianchi,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lightly coated with oil and tossed occasionally in a searing hot skillet or wok, even tough beans turn silky, and ready to coat in a finishing blast of chiles.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
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Comfortable travel can be achieved with stretchy, breathable pants, but securing a pair that hits those marks while looking stylish can be tough.—
Rachel Trujillo,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Reliable Service as an Operational Standard Clients in Dallas-Fort Worth should expect something more demanding than friendliness and something less theatrical than branding.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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The dual-motor setup targets higher output and improved traction for more demanding driving conditions.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Even if a fraction of the clip audience watches or listens to the entirety of something, that audience tends to be very engaged and usually motivated to pay for that content.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
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The engaged core audience became brand ambassadors, and the resulting social reach was the best launch the client had ever had.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Experts who study such drugs welcomed rigorous, scientific scrutiny.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
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His novels, especially the later ones, were rigorous, ecstatic immensities unlike anything that anticipated them.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Laborious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laborious. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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