painstaking

1 of 2

adjective

pains·​tak·​ing ˈpān-ˌstā-kiŋ How to pronounce painstaking (audio)
Synonyms of painstakingnext
: taking pains : expending, showing, or involving diligent care and effort
painstaking research
painstaking tasks
painstaking accuracy
painstakingly
ˈpān-ˌstā-kiŋ-lē How to pronounce painstaking (audio)
adverb

painstaking

2 of 2

noun

: the action of taking pains : diligent care and effort
… greater painstaking to achieve incidental verisimilitude and accuracy of detail …— Times Literary Supplement

Synonyms

Adjective

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Examples of painstaking in a Sentence

Adjective The book describes the election process in painstaking detail. she was always painstaking about her work
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
The worst part of painting windows is the painstaking process of carefully coating the frame without accidentally getting paint on the glass panes. — Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2025 The cars, the Speedster and Roadster, are said to emphasize style, lightweight design, flawless engineering, and painstaking hand finishing. — New Atlas, 14 Mar. 2025 This painstaking study of the remarkable archeology site in western Honduras showed just how far back the avocado – now a staple in American grocery stores – goes. — Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025 Meanwhile, Qualley has detailed her painstaking process to get ready for her iconic dance sequences. — Brendan Le, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for painstaking

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1685, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1538, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of painstaking was in 1538

Rhymes for painstaking

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Browse Nearby Words

painstaking
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Cite this Entry

“Painstaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painstaking. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

painstaking

adjective
pains·​tak·​ing
ˈpān-ˌstā-kiŋ
: taking or showing great care and effort
a painstaking search
painstakingly
-kiŋ-lē
adverb

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