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
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
Editors attending the brand’s presentations during Milan Fashion Week are often treated to immersive experiences that showcase the talented hands and the laborious process of achieving signature Santoni finishes such as velatura.
—Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2025
When the storm died out on Monday morning, crews began the laborious task of clearing the roads.
—Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 30 Jan. 2025
Even the new constitution of Hungary has been amended 14 times by Fidesz without public debate—something impossible in the United States, where constitutional amendments have been comparatively rare, requiring not only broad congressional approval but a laborious process of state ratification.
—BÁlint Madlovics, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2025
Remembering the Sojourner Motor Fleet (Black Perspectives) by Travis Wright
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee’s organizing efforts in the South were both dangerous and laborious.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 21 Jan. 2025
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Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2025
When the storm died out on Monday morning, crews began the laborious task of clearing the roads.
—Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 30 Jan. 2025
Even the new constitution of Hungary has been amended 14 times by Fidesz without public debate—something impossible in the United States, where constitutional amendments have been comparatively rare, requiring not only broad congressional approval but a laborious process of state ratification.
—BÁlint Madlovics, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2025
Remembering the Sojourner Motor Fleet (Black Perspectives) by Travis Wright
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee’s organizing efforts in the South were both dangerous and laborious.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for laborious
Cite this Entry
“Laborious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laborious. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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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