as in laboring
to devote serious and sustained effort
toiled for many years on the mammoth outdoor sculpture
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Recent Examples of toiling
But even while toiling away at their laptops, professionals can take one short step to return to their center.
—
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
Medieval monks toiling away at poetic meditations on the divine have their place, the authors allow, but their own arguments are meant to surpass mere abstract justifications for belief.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
The craft, once passed down through generations, is now facing the reality that fewer young people—seduced by high-flying, big-city office jobs—are interested in toiling in its timeworn factories.
—Jessica Binns, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2026
But the timing and club rebuild that San Diego have been toiling away at for two seasons now is what elevates it to landmark status.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
But a lot of those formative years were spent toiling in London’s open-mic scene and busking on the streets.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2026
Rika spends most of her days toiling in a frozen-foods warehouse, but her new gig is in a museum, where she has been hired to make conversation, in Latin, with an ancient Roman statue of the goddess Venus.
—Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
Rika spends most of her days toiling in a frozen-foods warehouse, but her new gig is in a museum, where she has been hired to make conversation, in Latin, with an ancient Roman statue of the goddess Venus.
—Sarah Chihaya, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026
Beyond the basics—such as avoiding August and its toiling hot weather—there are Texas-specific seasons to keep in mind when planning your travels, from catching the Hill Country in bloom to attending your first rodeo or state fair.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
Medieval monks toiling away at poetic meditations on the divine have their place, the authors allow, but their own arguments are meant to surpass mere abstract justifications for belief.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
The craft, once passed down through generations, is now facing the reality that fewer young people—seduced by high-flying, big-city office jobs—are interested in toiling in its timeworn factories.
—Jessica Binns, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2026
But the timing and club rebuild that San Diego have been toiling away at for two seasons now is what elevates it to landmark status.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
But a lot of those formative years were spent toiling in London’s open-mic scene and busking on the streets.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2026
Rika spends most of her days toiling in a frozen-foods warehouse, but her new gig is in a museum, where she has been hired to make conversation, in Latin, with an ancient Roman statue of the goddess Venus.
—Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
Rika spends most of her days toiling in a frozen-foods warehouse, but her new gig is in a museum, where she has been hired to make conversation, in Latin, with an ancient Roman statue of the goddess Venus.
—Sarah Chihaya, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026
Beyond the basics—such as avoiding August and its toiling hot weather—there are Texas-specific seasons to keep in mind when planning your travels, from catching the Hill Country in bloom to attending your first rodeo or state fair.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toiling
Verb
-
For the rest of us, the construction kickoff means delay upon delay as streets, avenues and roads are awash with heavy equipment and construction workers laboring with jackhammers, picks and shovels.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Trump poses as a pro-worker force, but his policies are atrocious for the laboring class.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the city morphs into a luxury tourist destination, struggling small businesses are pushing to retain the character that drew many tourists in the first place.—
Laura Millan,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
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If your friend is lonely or struggling to establish her identity without her sister living in the house, time with friends and time intentionally getting to know herself will be more productive.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Boring dad; feisty mom; rich do-gooder; striving newcomer; MAGA one; MAGA two.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Seasoned party-planners say that striving to create meaningful interactions instead of for perfection alleviates some of the stress of hosting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The National Conflict Resolution Center has hosted this event for 38 years now, to recognize individuals and organizations working with passion and purpose toward a better future for all Americans.—
Steven P. Dinkin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Clear, kind boundaries keep things working.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toiling. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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