1
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
no greater travail than that of parents who have suffered the death of a child
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in labor
very hard or unpleasant work
these villagers now have decent housing, so our travail has not been in vain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in childbirth
the act or process of giving birth to children
a midwife assisted her throughout her long travail
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to labor
to devote serious and sustained effort
Labor Day is the day on which we recognize those men and women who daily travail with little appreciation or compensation
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 travail
Rebecca Scofield / Made By History, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025
He’s often accompanied by his day-drinking pals Jaime and Oscar, two other inventively drawn La-La Land castoffs with their own eccentric show biz travels and travails.
—Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
David Jackson, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for travail
Noun
Horse-girl stories often featured young female protagonists who overcame challenges, experienced emotional growth, and developed relationships through the trials and travails of horseback riding.
—Rebecca Scofield / Made By History, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025
He’s often accompanied by his day-drinking pals Jaime and Oscar, two other inventively drawn La-La Land castoffs with their own eccentric show biz travels and travails.
—Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
Clap back:DeSantis criticizes 'daily drama' of Trump's leadership style, ratcheting up growing tensions Trump travails:Is Donald Trump being arrested?
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for travail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for travail
Noun
-
At the Santa Monica test location after the rains, the level of beryllium — a metal that is toxic to fish and corals and causes respiratory distress in humans — was more than 10 times the maximum limit allowed.—
Corinne Purtill,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2025
-
The result: Some doctors and hospitals have held back on treatments, waiting for the fetal heartbeat to stop or for patients to wind up in undeniable distress.—
Kavitha Surana,
ProPublica,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Certainly; no partner should have to shoulder the burden of household labor entirely on their own.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
-
The bottom line: Trump promised to lower costs, but the cost of labor may not have been exactly what voters had in mind.—
Emily Peck,
Axios,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Other medical dramas have often depicted childbirth, but not to this level of graphic detail.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
-
This single program covers about 40% of all childbirths, 80% of children living in poverty, nearly half of all children with special healthcare needs and more than 60% of adult nursing home residents.—
Brian Castrucci,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
During that time, Dave was struggling with his problems.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Ever since Alcaraz lost that immense Olympic final to Djokovic in August, the Spaniard has generally struggled to find his groove.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Another video showed a woman wailing in agony over one of the victims.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA TODAY,
22 Mar. 2025
-
On a nation’s struggle and agony; the nature of democracy; Trump vs. Canada; and more On Monday, next to the Hudson River in New York, there was a demonstration.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
As Maine continues to see more shark detections in its waters, studies like this will be crucial in ensuring that shark conservation efforts continue while also keeping human safety a priority.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
-
What’s next? Property management posted a note on some doors that said cleaning efforts would begin March 7, exactly two months after the Eaton fire ignited.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
At its essence, Zion Lodge strives to provide travelers with a space to relax.—
Sophie Mendel,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Instead, strive to make choices that feel authentic and align with your values.—
Scott Mautz, Contributor,
CNBC,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Her teammates surrounded her, doing their best to block her anguish from the view of nearby photographers, before trainers arrived to help her.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Hiding your anguish while pretending to be excited.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Travail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/travail. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share