pains·tak·ing
ˈpān-ˌstā-kiŋ 
: taking pains : expending, showing, or involving diligent care and effort
painstaking research
painstaking tasks
painstaking accuracy
: the action of taking pains : diligent care and effort
… greater painstaking to achieve incidental verisimilitude and accuracy of detail …—
Times Literary Supplement
Times Literary SupplementExamples of painstaking in a Sentence
Adjective
The book describes the election process in painstaking detail.
she was always painstaking about her work
Recent Examples on the Web
Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
After painstaking efforts, Witkoff and Kushner emerged with the framework of an accord that promises, at least for now, to quiet one of the world's most destabilizing conflicts.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Oct. 2025
Bringing together some of today’s most innovative stunt designers, this conversation traces the craft’s journey from early cinematic daredevils to today’s painstaking choreography; and its long fight for overdue Academy recognition.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Meeting sustainability standards and navigating an evolving regulatory landscape has become a painstaking challenge for the fashion sector.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for painstaking
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Adjective
The thundering early morning blast at Accurate Energetic Systems reverberated across the surrounding community Friday, razing an entire building on the plant’s sprawling campus and leading to a painstaking search that ultimately found no survivors.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
After painstaking efforts, Witkoff and Kushner emerged with the framework of an accord that promises, at least for now, to quiet one of the world's most destabilizing conflicts.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Oct. 2025
Bringing together some of today’s most innovative stunt designers, this conversation traces the craft’s journey from early cinematic daredevils to today’s painstaking choreography; and its long fight for overdue Academy recognition.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Meeting sustainability standards and navigating an evolving regulatory landscape has become a painstaking challenge for the fashion sector.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for painstaking
Cite this Entry
“Painstaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painstaking. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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