painstaking

[peynz-tey-king, peyn-stey-]

adjective

1. taking taking or characterized by taking pains or trouble; expending or showing diligent care and effort; careful.

   a painstaking craftsman; painstaking research.

   Synonyms: scrupulous, thorough

noun

1. careful and diligent effort.

painstaking

/ ˈpeɪnzˌteɪkɪŋ /

adjective

1. extremely careful, esp as to fine detail

   painstaking research

Other Word Forms

• painstakingly adverb
• painstakingness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of painstaking¹

First recorded in 1550–60; pain + -s ³ + taking

Synonym Study

Painstaking, careful, meticulous, conscientious all describe persons or behavior demonstrating attention to detail and effective task performance. painstaking stresses diligent and assiduous attention to detail in achieving a desired objective: a painstaking technician; the painstaking editing of a manuscript. Careful , the most general in sense of these words, implies serious intent to perform well and accurately whatever task one has in hand: a careful housepainter; a careful study of the social structure of gangs. Meticulous suggests extreme attention to details, especially the most minute, coupled with an almost obsessive desire to avoid error: a meticulous silversmith, every detail finished to perfection; fussily meticulous about matching shoes and clothing. Conscientious stresses scrupulous effort to obey one's sense of moral obligation to perform tasks well: a conscientious public defender; a conscientious description of the robbery.

Example Sentences

"It was painstaking going through 500-plus records and making sure that the people in the study really belonged in the study," McNally said.

Read more on Science Daily

The Church now faces the painstaking task of rebuilding systems that failed for years: rewriting governance structures, establishing credible oversight, and embedding a culture that encourages reporting rather than avoids it.

Read more on BBC

“It is, above all, arduous, painstaking work that calls for an intense effort, perseverance, stamina, fortitude, will power, serious knowledge and great mastery.”

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Even some backers of Proposition 50 flinched at the notion of sidelining the redistricting commission and undoing its painstaking, nonpartisan work.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Is it the transformational, go-for-broke acting showcase it affords, and the painstaking period recreation so essential to the journey back in time?

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Related Words

• assiduous 
• careful 
• conscientious 
• diligent 
• earnest 
• exacting 
• scrupulous 
• strenuous