1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
faced with the toilsome task of cleaning out her deceased father's homestead
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
this is the most toilsome part of the construction, so we'll go slowly to make sure we're doing it right
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Recent Examples of toilsome
Meanwhile, Republicans lacked the votes to pass anything so their amendments tended to be trollish and toilsome fliers meant to either own the libs or just annoy the legislators.
—
Matt Ford, The New Republic, 9 Aug. 2022
But as these commemorations advance these important discussions, another more toilsome question continues to unfold in the background: What will happen to those who actually participated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol?
—Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 8 Jan. 2022
Though the third quarter was significantly better for Netflix than its previous quarter, the company signaled that there could be toilsome times ahead.
—Natalie Jarvey, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Oct. 2019
Matt Ford, The New Republic, 9 Aug. 2022
But as these commemorations advance these important discussions, another more toilsome question continues to unfold in the background: What will happen to those who actually participated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol?
—Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 8 Jan. 2022
Though the third quarter was significantly better for Netflix than its previous quarter, the company signaled that there could be toilsome times ahead.
—Natalie Jarvey, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toilsome
Adjective
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An aviation expert, along with the Army pilot, tells PEOPLE that Reagan National Airport can be especially difficult to fly into.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
30 Jan. 2025
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Without the ice, they are forced to hunt in open water, which is a difficult feat for the large apex predator.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Shakira has had a challenging time since splitting from her ex Gerard Piqué.—
Ilana Kaplan,
People.com,
3 Feb. 2025
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But the alternative—growing real red blood cells outside the body—has proved even more challenging.—
Nicola Twilley,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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These suppliers undergo rigorous vetting processes and must meet safety standards to prevent potential hazards.—
Tim Bajarin,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
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Like many large employers, the agency proactively seeks qualified candidates from as many sources as possible, all of whom must meet rigorous qualifications that of course will vary by position.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But since his accident, Edwards has dedicated his life to exploration, already completing more physically demanding challenges than most do in a lifetime.—
Amy Woodyatt,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2025
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Best for Conservationists John Muir Way, Scotland Not to be confused with California’s more demanding John Muir Trail, the John Muir Way is a relatively new route (established around 10 years ago) that stretches coast to coast across Muir’s home country of Scotland.—
Megan Michelson,
Outside Online,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Strings — and the fact the Nampa show happens May 20, before Idaho temperatures boil — makes this music lineup tough to resist.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Feb. 2025
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On the other hand, Hill has had a tough time recently.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Victims of the California wildfires have a long and arduous road ahead of them.—
Jill Schlesinger,
The Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2025
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From Broderick Turner: The Clippers are in the middle of their most arduous part of the regular season, playing six games in nine days — a stretch that threatens to push them to their limits.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
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Whether those numbers are an overstatement, or possibly an understatement, is hard to say.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
Adjective
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But the efforts have also targeted stores that went through the laborious process to become licensed dealers.—
Andrew Wimer,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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Any attempt to short-circuit the laborious process of proposing new regulations that includes seeking comments from the public will almost surely invite credible legal challenges.—
Jack Ewing,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near toilsome
Cite this Entry
“Toilsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toilsome. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
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