1
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
no greater travail than that of parents who have suffered the death of a child
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in labor
very hard or unpleasant work
these villagers now have decent housing, so our travail has not been in vain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in childbirth
the act or process of giving birth to children
a midwife assisted her throughout her long travail
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to labor
to devote serious and sustained effort
Labor Day is the day on which we recognize those men and women who daily travail with little appreciation or compensation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of travail
Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
Media attention has focused on the travails of big cities such as Los Angeles, but smaller cities might be the canaries in the coal mine.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025
Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
For Zegler, making her British stage debut, Evita must seem like a haven of sorts after her travails with the controversy that grew around Snow White, where her casting was subject to racist attacks on social media about her Colombian heritage.
—Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for travail
Noun
The band’s recent travails (which include some personal challenges for Carney) seem to color their songwriting, adding a bit of emotional ballast for a band whose lyrics often just seem like riffs on fun rock & roll tropes.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
Media attention has focused on the travails of big cities such as Los Angeles, but smaller cities might be the canaries in the coal mine.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
Zhong Shanshan, founder and chairman of beverage giant Nongfu Spring, has reclaimed his crown as China’s richest person amid a turnaround of his business and family travails at top rival Hangzhou Wahaha Group.
—Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
For Zegler, making her British stage debut, Evita must seem like a haven of sorts after her travails with the controversy that grew around Snow White, where her casting was subject to racist attacks on social media about her Colombian heritage.
—Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for travail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for travail
Noun
-
Eileen’s imminent arrival is made even more dramatic when a younger woman named Thea (Imogen Poots) turns up at Hedda’s door in a state of distress.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
9 Sep. 2025
-
However, without Chinese demand, this abundant supply threatens to further depress prices and worsen farmers’ financial distress.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Lorraine is haunted by a demonic presence during labor and when the time comes, Judy is stillborn, but the baby miraculously returns to life after Lorraine holds her in her arms.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Analysts also cited lower labor costs, the weaker yuan, innovative technological developments and a robust battery supply chain among Beijing’s key advantages.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In some Michigan counties, Medicaid covers more than half of all childbirths.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Hailey died from childbirth complications moments after welcoming the couple’s first baby.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Traditional data lakes can store raw data at scale but lack quality controls, while warehouses enforce structure but struggle with unstructured or fast changing data.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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Almost half of those who abided by boundaries (45%) reported low burnout, compared to 6% of those who struggled to do so.—
Samantha Dewalt,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Hank, having already experienced life-changing failure, is also able to absorb beatings that would destroy most people, endure the agony, and leap back into action.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The buddy story ended in agony when it was revealed that Edwards was on the list and complicit in the ambush plot.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The merging of the modern and traditional is an effort to help people find God in a new way, said Reverend Jason Roberson, the head priest at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, and to mark the church’s entry into a new century.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
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With the sandboxing proposal, companies could identify regulations that are obstructing their efforts, and ask for a waiver.—
Emily Wilkins,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Chronic striving has its downsides, though.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
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When multiple businesses strive to outdo each other, the result is better products, improved services and more choices for consumers.—
Levi King,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Haley Robson described the anguish caused by ever-metastasizing Epstein conspiracy theories and endless Epstein news cycles, and her hope that releasing the files could finally put the case to bed.—
Michelle Goldberg,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
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Above all, there’s Rob, whose romantic getaway has turned into a slog of romantic anguish.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Travail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/travail. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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