painstaking

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

/ ˈpeɪnzˌteɪ kɪŋ, ˈpeɪnˌsteɪ- /

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See synonyms for: painstaking / painstakings / painstakingly / painstakingness 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR painstaking

1 thorough, scrupulous.

See synonyms for painstaking on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of painstaking

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

synonym study for painstaking

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.

OTHER WORDS FROM painstaking

pains·tak·ing·ly, adverbpains·tak·ing·ness, noun

How to use painstaking in a sentence

In a paper describing the new tectonic model, the team goes over the evidence, gathered by a host of scientists over many years, in painstaking detail.
See a Billion-Year Dance of Earth’s Tectonic Plates in 40 Seconds|Jason Dorrier|February 14, 2021|Singularity Hub
The plate is metal and the bottle is glass, both substances whose visual qualities Kirwin renders with painstaking verisimilitude.
In the galleries: Immersive exhibit explores a wonderland in blue|Mark Jenkins|January 22, 2021|Washington Post
As far as his songwriting goes, Wareham blames the lyrics, which he’s more painstaking about than he used to be.
At home, forever and ever, with Dean & Britta|Nate Rogers|November 6, 2020|Washington Post
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
The rules hereafter given must be carefully studied and every example painstakingly examined.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
There was a pause, and Mrs. Walbridge glanced anxiously from one to the other of the two painstakingly indifferent faces.
Happy House|Betsey Riddle, Freifrau von Hutten zum Stolzenberg
Painstakingly he smooths out a little air and returns it to the astonished monarch.
Seeing Things at Night|Heywood Broun
I can see my father yet, as he stands before the mirror, painstakingly adjusting the tie he had chosen for the day's wear.
Tramping on Life|Harry Kemp
Afterward all details are painstakingly worked out, until the ideal blossoms into the perfectly executed performance.
Piano Mastery|Harriette Brower

British Dictionary definitions for painstaking

painstaking

/ (ˈpeɪnzˌteɪkɪŋ) /

adjective

extremely careful, esp as to fine detailpainstaking research

Derived forms of painstaking

painstakingly, 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

painstaking

OTHER WORDS FOR painstaking

Origin of painstaking

synonym study for painstaking

OTHER WORDS FROM painstaking

Words related to painstaking

How to use painstaking in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for painstaking

Derived forms of painstaking