painstaking

[ peynz-tey-king, peyn-stey- ]
/ ˈpeɪnzˌteɪ kɪŋ, ˈpeɪnˌsteɪ- /
SEE 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.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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

Words nearby painstaking

painesville, painful, painkiller, painless, pains, painstaking, paint, paint black, paint bridge, paint horse, paint oneself into a corner
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to painstakingly

carefully, barely, intensely, very, fully, intensively, wholly, completely, earnestly, highly, extremely, scrupulously, conscientiously, meticulously, comprehensively, assiduously, efficiently, eagerly, slowly, vigorously

Example sentences from the Web for painstakingly

British Dictionary definitions for painstakingly

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