painstaking

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

/ ˈpeɪnzˌteɪ kɪŋ, ˈpeɪnˌsteɪ- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR painstaking ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

taking or characterized by taking pains or trouble; expending or showing diligent care and effort; careful: a painstaking craftsman; painstaking research.

noun

careful and diligent effort.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of painstaking

First recorded in 1550–60; pain + -s³ + taking

SYNONYMS FOR painstaking

1 thorough, scrupulous.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR painstaking ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formspains·tak·ing·ly, adverbpains·tak·ing·ness, noun

Synonym study

1. 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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for painstakingly

The answer is that the Defense Department has a painstakingly slow process to write up its requirements before it builds anything.
America’s Advanced Stealth Jet Flies on 1990s Tech|Dave Majumdar|October 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Before printing processes developed, books took an incredibly long time to make as they had to be painstakingly written by hand.
Read All About It: The History Of Print (Suitable For Framing)|Mediaworks|September 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Leather was another major theme this season, and the detail on some the garments was painstakingly laborious.
At Balenciaga, Short & Sweet|Alice Cavanagh|September 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Built in 1764, the house has been painstakingly restored by a Parisian couple Annick and Paul Coudrier.
On La Route du Cidre: Getting Buzzed on Normandy’s Cider Trail|William O’Connor|September 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST

We are learning to laugh at ourselves, to eat our pizza with corn on it, and to slowly and painstakingly listen and learn.
Life After AIPAC's False Dichotomies|Angela Zimmann|September 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Here a name had been painstakingly obliterated, as if by afterthought, the very paper being gouged through with ink.
The Plunderer|Roy Norton
Of course, much of this was due to the close government co-operation, so generously and painstakingly given.
The Americanization of Edward Bok|Edward William Bok
She wore rare gowns, painstakingly chosen; she kept him waiting when he called; she received him with indifference.
The Short Cut|Jackson Gregory
I was careful not to inflict the MS upon you until I had thoroughly and painstakingly revised it.
The Letters Of Mark Twain, Volume 3, 1876-1885|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
With the same attitude she was painstakingly, if shyly, improving her table manners and her speech.
One Woman's Life|Robert Herrick

British Dictionary definitions for painstakingly

painstaking

/ (ˈpeɪnzˌteɪkɪŋ) /

adjective

extremely careful, esp as to fine detailpainstaking research

Derived Formspainstakingly, adverbpainstakingness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012