LABORIOUS Synonyms: 172 Similar and Opposite Words

laborious

adjective

lə-ˈbȯr-ē-əs

Definition of laborious

as in diligent

involved in often constant activity the volunteers have been commendably laborious in their cleanup of the beach

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort the laborious task of cleaning up the oil spill

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in challenging

requiring much time, effort, or careful attention that report is the product of months of laborious research

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of laborious As a result, vendors receive payment faster without all the laborious human intervention. — Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 In The Odyssey, Odysseus (Matt Damon) serves in the Trojan war, and his laborious journey home highlights how imperialism makes villains out of us all, no matter how good our intentions. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026 The European Union and the United States took one ultra-laborious step forward in ratifying their bilateral trade deal in late June. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 23 July 2026 This process eliminates the costly and laborious step of sorting plastic waste before recycling. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for laborious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for laborious

Adjective

More recently, diligent and passionate biologists, chemists, and experts from other disciplines have used technology for contemporary experiments that reveal a spectrum of plant consciousness.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026
Dark circles happen, acne pops up, and dark spots can even appear despite diligent sunscreen use.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of diligent

Adjective

The losses linked to the demise of these groups are difficult to quantify, but participants and advocates say the impacts will reverberate across federal agencies for years.

— Katia Riddle, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
Ground surveys can provide more detailed information at a particular site, but covering an entire subway corridor that way would be difficult.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

For the healthcare providers in attendance, the party — which featured games and activities for the kids — is a chance to see the real-life impact of their often emotionally challenging work.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026
Because of the challenging terrain, the bridges are designed to be constructed without heavy machinery.

— Fatma Tanis, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

Then, the Iran war started, resulting in massive disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, once one of the world's busiest oil-shipping lanes.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Palacios brings plenty to Ipswich with and without the ball, the statement signing in a busy window who could go a long way to keeping them up.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of busy

Adjective

Space-grade electronics will cost more, and the ball’s shell—made from a material tough enough to roll over steel shards and withstand minus 184 °C temperatures—has never been evaluated in lunar extremes.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026
Democratic leaders face tough decisions on where to spend limited party resources to win the Senate majority.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Leaders may not need to tax themselves heavily to gain some cognitive benefit during an already demanding period.

— Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
That makes both the X-ray measurement itself and the interpretation of its data increasingly demanding.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of demanding

Adjective

Every personal finance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of home loan products.

— Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
But alongside serious thinkers such as Rankine, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Saidiya Hartman, less rigorous writers and ideas were also elevated.

— Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of rigorous

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laboring

laborious

laboriously

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“Laborious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laborious. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of laborious

adjective

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