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painstaking

painstaking

13 6.1
Being very careful and using a lot of effort
  • adjective
  • /ˈpeɪnˌsteɪ.kɪŋ/
translation icon : minucioso
  • After years of painstaking and, sometimes, painful research, l've narrowed down the location of Tutankhamun's tomb.
  • painstaking work
  • painstaking process
  • painstaking effort

And it took years and just painstaking work, but they got it done.

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Examples

  • But it was painstaking, routine labor that took four years to complete.

    Academic text (2010)
  • The scientist conducted her experiment with painstaking care to ensure accurate results.

  • And it took years and just painstaking work, but they got it done.

  • Let me take you through them in painstaking detail.

  • Even she seemed to think that all of the painstaking effort had been worth it.

    Blog text (29)
  • Now, after two and a half years of painstaking work, the war crimes trial in Tokyo comes to an end.

  • The next phase was the painstaking assembly of the documentary record, comprising several components.

    Academic text (2001)
  • One of his most painstaking research projects explored emotions in animals and human beings.

    Academic text (2000)
  • The effects of the drugs must be cataloged... with painstaking accuracy.

  • In addition, the process of education-related empirical research is often slow, tedious, and painstaking.

    Academic text (1992)

Synonyms

thorough
vspainstaking
205 4.6

Shows careful attention to every detail and leaves nothing out

is about extra diligence and effort as well as completeness
particular
vspainstaking
106 4.4

Careful about small details and hard to please

emphasizes diligent careful effort instead of mere fussiness
meticulous
vspainstaking
58 8.6

Being very careful about small details

stresses sustained hard work and complete care rather than only detail
conscientious
vspainstaking
49 5.9

Careful and serious about doing work the right way

focuses on careful effort and care rather than moral motive
methodical
vspainstaking
35 4.1

Doing things carefully and in an organized way

emphasizes thorough careful effort rather than just routine order
scrupulous
vspainstaking
3 7.2

Careful to do things correctly and notice small details

is more about diligent effort than only correctness concern
thoroughgoing
vspainstaking
2 7.7

Done completely and carefully, leaving nothing out

is focused more on careful effort and sustained hard work
minute
vspainstaking
  • Formal
6.4

Very careful about small details

covers sustained careful effort and full completeness beyond small details

Antonyms

63 3.9

Acting quickly without much thought or care

14 1.0

A lack of attention that causes mistakes or harm

How Thorough

fastidious
8 8.0
meticulous
58 8.6
painstaking
13 6.1
thorough
205 4.6
careful
1.0

Surface Forms

painstaking positive
painstakinger comparative
painstakingest superlative

Morphology

painstaking = pain + take (semi-transparent) = pains + taking

Formally built from the idea 'take pains' (pains + taking), so learners who know 'take pains' can infer the meaning, but 'pain' is more often understood as physical suffering which can confuse learners.

Etymology

Painstaking comes from the old phrase take pains, where pain meant 'trouble' or 'effort' rather than physical hurt. So, to be painstaking is to do something with great care and hard work.