Definitions

painstaking

[peynz-tey-king, peyn-stey-] / ˈpeɪnzˌteɪ kɪŋ, ˈpeɪnˌsteɪ- /

ADJECTIVE

meticulous, thorough

Synonyms

STRONGEST

assiduous careful conscientious diligent earnest exacting scrupulous strenuous

STRONG

detail-oriented

WEAK

by the book by the numbers conscionable exact finicky fussbudget fussy hard-working heedful industrious particular persevering persnickety picky punctilious punctual sedulous stickler thoroughgoing

Antonyms

STRONGEST

careless lazy lethargic negligent thoughtless uncareful unconcerned unenthusiastic unscrupulous

WEAK

easy half-baked half-done unmindful unthorough

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I am deeply grateful to the Commission for their unceasing efforts to find the Disappeared, and for their painstaking efforts to help ease these families' long suffering," said Hilary Benn.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

For decades, a small program in the Environmental Protection Agency conducted the painstaking scientific work of assessing the toxicity of chemicals.

From Salon • May 5, 2026

Gilead returned to TAF in 2010, engaging in years of painstaking research and costly clinical trials.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

The challenge for management, directors and investors is to have patience through this painstaking process while simultaneously kicking the tires and asking all the right questions during the building process.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

A beginner thinks this, despite many hours of painstaking preparation.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

Vocabulary lists containing painstaking

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