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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Skip the laborious pounding and use cutlets instead of whole breasts. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2026 Experts say the laborious bureaucratic process has discouraged international firms from doing business with Iran. — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026 How to Clean a Fireclay Sink While fireclay sinks can be easily damaged with improper care, keeping one in pristine condition doesn’t require laborious techniques or expensive cleaning products. — Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 10 Sep. 2026 Within that room unfolds the tale of the Swiss architect of the title, told in occasionally laborious ways. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for laborious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for laborious

Adjective

There are no straightforward steps like in the days when a diligent worker could land a job at a good company, work hard to get promoted and hope to climb the corporate ladder.

— Julia Carpenter, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Edwards said Brown was diligent in going to work and didn’t worry about the weather at all.

— Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of diligent

Adjective

The problem, Snegovaya said, is that achieving military autonomy for Europe and Ukraine is extremely difficult in the short term, and Europe has been slow to develop the necessary capabilities.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
Past changes have pushed the glacier into a retreat that may be difficult to reverse, while new modeling suggests scientists may have underestimated how warm seawater reaches beneath it.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

As Hispanic Heritage Month continues, one musician at Philadelphia's Curtis Institute of Music is challenging expectations about classical music and the harp.

— Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Naomi Ackie, who plays the scientist charged with Hagen’s experimental procedure, praised how her co-star shouldered what was a very challenging role.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

Celebrity hairstylist Brian Magallones considers this the perfect balance between a not-too-fussy and not-too-structured chignon, a style that sounds tough to style without a professional team but is actually quite easy to master at-home.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Coming off that dominant performance against the Yankees, Rasmussen went six-plus tough innings.

— Rob Maaddi, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

If companies want more engaged workers, ADP CEO Maria Black says CEOs and senior leaders should start by asking themselves if employees trust them.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
That’s a striking increase from 2022, when 39% of engaged or married 18-to-34-year-olds reported having one — and only 15% of engaged or married Americans overall did.

— Grace Kelleher, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of engaged

Adjective

Finally, Horrigan noted that inbound freight deserves the same rigorous management as outbound, stressing that procurement teams need visibility into the freight component of supplier pricing.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
The whole piece is about the free and rigorous interplay of line.

— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of rigorous

Browse Nearby Words

laboring

laborious

laboriously

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Style

“Laborious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laborious. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of laborious

adjective

Example Sentences

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