laborious
adjective
la·bo·ri·ous
lə-ˈbȯr-ē-əs 
1
a
: involving, requiring, or characterized by hard and sustained effort : arduous
Overland travel was not an adventurous communal leap, but a laborious, individual trek.—
Daniel J. Boorstin
Daniel J. BoorstinMaking a telescope mirror is a long and laborious process.—David Devoss and Eric Sander
David Devoss and Eric Sander
b
: characterized by long, detailed elaboration : tedious
Much of the middle of the book is a laborious account of the scouring of the ocean floor that led to the discovery of the Titanic.—The Economist
The Economist2
: devoted to labor : industrious
We have the greatest riches, the greatest fertility, … the most laborious population.—Joseph Conrad
Joseph Conrad
laboriously
adverb
laboriousness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of laborious in a Sentence
a slow and laborious process
the volunteers have been commendably laborious in their cleanup of the beach
Recent Examples on the Web
That might be because the work is considered by many to be the most laborious and menial part of tech.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 21 May 2024
Following the laborious 40-pitch first, Sanchez settled in and didn’t allow a run for the rest of his outing.
—Isaac Azout, Miami Herald, 19 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for laborious 
Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 21 May 2024
Following the laborious 40-pitch first, Sanchez settled in and didn’t allow a run for the rest of his outing.
—Isaac Azout, Miami Herald, 19 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for laborious
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'laborious.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near laborious
Cite this Entry
“Laborious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laborious. Accessed 2 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
laborious
adjective
la·bo·ri·ous
lə-ˈbōr-ē-əs
-ˈbȯr-
1
: devoted to work : industrious
2
: requiring hard effort
laboriously
adverb
laboriousness
noun
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