labor-intensive
Requiring much effort
Labor-intensive describes work or processes requiring a large amount of human effort relative to machinery or automation: Harvesting strawberries remains labor-intensive.
The term often appears in economic contexts comparing production methods: labor-intensive manufacturing versus capital-intensive alternatives.
A labor-intensive task demands significant time and hands-on work: Restoring the old house was incredibly labor-intensive.
Extremely careful and thorough
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
- tediousBoring through length
- slowLacking in speed
- prolongedMade to last longer
methodical · thorough · detailed · intricate · careful · deliberate · patient · repetitive
Strenuous, prolonged effort
- drudgeryHard, boring work
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- burnoutChronic occupational depletion
- exertionVigorous physical effort
strain · grueling · backbreaking · sweat · grind · slog · overwork · strenuous
Created manually, not mechanically
- artisanalMade by skilled craftspeople
- weavingInterlacing strands into fabric
- potteryFired clay objects
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
tailoring · quilting · woodcarving · blacksmithing · leatherwork · basketry · lacemaking · batik
Skill in making objects
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
- artisanalMade by skilled craftspeople
- expertiseSkill from extensive practice
specialized · trained · experienced · apprenticeship · mastery · technique · proficiency · know-how
Industrial product creation
- factoryIndustrial production facility
- productionMaking or generating something
- textilesWoven or knit materials
- garmentsArticles of clothing
agriculture · construction · mining · shipbuilding · harvesting · meatpacking · brickmaking · steelworks
Costing much money
- uneconomicalNot worth the cost
- prohibitivePreventing through excess
- overheadLocated directly above
- wagesPayment for work
payroll · benefits · compensation · outsourcing · offshoring · budget · investment · hiring
painstaking
Extremely careful and thorough
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
- tediousBoring through length
- slowLacking in speed
prolonged · methodical · thorough · detailed · intricate · careful · deliberate · patient · repetitive · monotonous
toil
Strenuous, prolonged effort
- drudgeryHard, boring work
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- burnoutChronic occupational depletion
exertion · strain · grueling · backbreaking · sweat · grind · slog · overwork · strenuous · taxing
handmade
Created manually, not mechanically
- artisanalMade by skilled craftspeople
- weavingInterlacing strands into fabric
- potteryFired clay objects
embroidery · tailoring · quilting · woodcarving · blacksmithing · leatherwork · basketry · lacemaking · batik · glassblowing
craftsmanship
Skill in making objects
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
- artisanalMade by skilled craftspeople
expertise · specialized · trained · experienced · apprenticeship · mastery · technique · proficiency · know-how · competence
manufacturing
Industrial product creation
- factoryIndustrial production facility
- productionMaking or generating something
- textilesWoven or knit materials
garments · agriculture · construction · mining · shipbuilding · harvesting · meatpacking · brickmaking · steelworks · sweatshop
expensive
Costing much money
- uneconomicalNot worth the cost
- prohibitivePreventing through excess
- overheadLocated directly above
wages · payroll · benefits · compensation · outsourcing · offshoring · budget · investment · hiring · staffing
- preindustrialpreindustrial, pre-industrial, guild, agrarian, pastoral
- manual controlsmanual, hand-operated, lever, handle, button
- tedioustedious, tiresome, wearisome, boring, monotonous
labor-intensiveautomated
Operating without human control
mechanized · computerized · robotic · automatic · digitized
labor-intensivecapital-intensive
Requiring substantial fixed investment
labor-intensiveeffortless
Requiring no strain
low-effort · easy · hands-off · undemanding · simple
labor, intense, intensify, elaborate, laborer, labored, intensive, laboring, labour