painstaking

1 of 2

adjective

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

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
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Adjective
The painstaking work has also been supported by the universities of Pisa and Florence leading to the rediscovery of native grapes. Valentina Di Donato, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 Once both chambers approve a single budget resolution, the painstaking work of crafting the finer details of the actual legislation comes next. David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Mar. 2025 This grueling process required digging, leaching, refining and crystallization—a painstaking effort that sustained the war effort when traditional saltpeter sources were cut off. Scott Travers, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 The only way to get there is to keep investing in the kind of foundational research that, through decades of painstaking work, becomes the basis for breakthroughs. Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Painstaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painstaking. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

painstaking

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

More from Merriam-Webster on painstaking

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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