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
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.
Adjective
The aldermen briefly succeeded during the transition period between Lightfoot and Johnson, passing a plan after weeks of painstaking negotiations. Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2024 The handbook, reviewed by WIRED, is the result of months of painstaking work by Gifford and about seven others who make up the Volunteer Nevada! group, which is dedicated to election integrity efforts. David Gilbert, WIRED, 4 Nov. 2024 The painstaking effort of combing through a company’s financials and ownership structure and analyzing the market sector happens off camera. Jordyn Holman, New York Times, 18 Oct. 2024 The attention to detail extended to the costume team, led by Catherine Rodríguez, which conducted painstaking research based mainly on the national records and on watercolors available from the time. 100 Years of Solitude is one of several huge launches for Netflix’s Lat-Am division. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near painstaking

Cite this Entry

“Painstaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painstaking. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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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