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Synonyms

time-consuming

American  
[tahym-kuhn-soo-ming] / ˈtaɪm kənˌsu mɪŋ /

adjective

  1. (of an action) requiring or wasting much time.


time-consuming British  

adjective

  1. taking up or involving a great deal of time

"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

Etymology

Origin of time-consuming

First recorded in 1930–35

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.

See Examples For:

Leah Cottell, who has been leading the study, said the process had been "incredibly time-consuming" but she had learned a lot.

From BBC Sep. 7, 2026

The time-consuming ice-making technique often used in Japan, which tends to produce a higher quality product, had largely been phased out in the US.

From Barron's Sep. 6, 2026

Serving as an executor is a time-consuming and thankless job, and you should be reimbursed for your time.

From MarketWatch Sep. 1, 2026

From his farm outside Bastrop, Texas, Linklater, 66, recently got on a video call to reflect on the time-consuming yet rewarding project that now stretches back nearly 25 years.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 27, 2026

The pyromancers kept their recipe for wildfire a closely guarded secret, but Tyrion knew that it was a lengthy, dangerous, and time-consuming process.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

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