laboured
Britishadjective
-
(of breathing) performed with difficulty
-
showing effort; contrived; lacking grace or fluency
Other Word Forms
- labouredly adverb
- labouredness noun
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.
Carney, an anglophone who grew up in western Canada, notably laboured to improve his French before running for prime minister last year, and his French ability was the subject of some scrutiny.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
During the confrontation, Harris-Richards' breathing became laboured and he fell to the floor.
From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026
Sundar hit two fours and one six in his otherwise laboured knock before falling caught behind to Harmer.
From Barron's • Nov. 15, 2025
Germany's qualification hopes still rest on their final Group A match on Monday at home to Slovakia despite a Nick Woltemade brace giving them a laboured 2-0 win at Luxembourg.
From Barron's • Nov. 14, 2025
Joseph listened to Albert’s laboured breathing and the occasional car that passed outside, and realized the noises were all wrong.
From "The Marvels" by Brian Selznick
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
