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

Derived Forms

• ˈpainsˌtakingly, adverb
• ˈpainsˌtakingness, noun

Other Words From

• painstaking·ly adverb
• painstaking·ness 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 would take several years of quiet, painstaking work, and it would begin with Zuckerman’s ascent.

From Salon

From books about bisexuality, to Polaroid pictures of Nick and Charlie together, they’ve gone to painstaking lengths to make the bedroom a true reflection of the character's journey throughout the series.

From BBC

Throughout it all, the 23-year-old has been grappling with the very thing a sportsperson tries to protect: Bell has been going through a painstaking remodelling of her action.

From BBC

Thousands of documents were presented by the prosecution and pored over in many months of painstaking examination.

From BBC

While the divers’ painstaking work to recover the dead has ended, the investigators’ painful hunt for answers has only begun.

From BBC

Related Words

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