labored

adjective

la·​bored ˈlā-bərd How to pronounce labored (audio)
: produced or performed with labor
labored breathing
also : lacking ease of expression
a labored speech

Examples of labored in a Sentence

The patient's symptoms included a rapid pulse and labored breathing. The movie's dialogue seems very labored.
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.
Francis' feeble voice, discernible through his labored breaths and in his native Spanish, was recorded Thursday from the hospital and broadcast to the faithful in St. Peter's Square who had gathered for the nightly recitation of the rosary prayer. arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2025 The latter thrives during the occasionally labored long takes, leaning on her background in improvisational comedy to listen, react, and take command as needed. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Mar. 2025 Lots of labored stuff about riding a buggy or a cart with all sorts of people dressed in costume running around him. Bill Wyman, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025 Callahan Molnar wrote that Beacon was admitted to an emergency pet hospital the previous day with symptoms that included stiffness, labored breathing and a fever, despite undergoing treatments such as anti-inflammatory medication and cold laser therapy. Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for labored

Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of labored was in 1566

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Labored.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/labored. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

labored

adjective
la·​bored
ˈlā-bərd
: produced or done with labor
labored breathing

Medical Definition

labored

adjective
la·​bored ˈlā-bərd How to pronounce labored (audio)
: produced or performed with difficulty or strain
labored breathing

More from Merriam-Webster on labored

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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