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Showing results for toilsome. Search instead for toilsomeness.
Synonyms

toilsome

American  
[toil-suhm] / ˈtɔɪl səm /

adjective

  1. characterized by or involving toil; laborious or fatiguing.

    Synonyms:
    strenuous, arduous, wearisome

toilsome British  
/ ˈtɔɪlsəm /

adjective

  1. laborious

"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

Other Word Forms

  • toilsomely adverb
  • toilsomeness noun

Etymology

Origin of toilsome

First recorded in 1575–85; toil 1 + -some 1

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.

The youngins showed stamina to withstand toilsome travel, punishing pace and reduced recovery time.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 8, 2021

After all, skating, as a recreational act, is relentless, toilsome, boring—it requires a commitment to drudgery and community that quickly weeds out those with impure motives.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 29, 2018

When I was at university, some 20 years ago, learning about the world was a tactile, toilsome sort of experience.

From New York Times • Jan. 30, 2018

Oh, there were times, especially this season, when the process felt excruciating and toilsome.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 7, 2010

Though tautly stretched at the end of the boat, it sagged a little in the middle; it made for three or four toilsome, bouncy steps.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel