painstaking

Carefully attending details

Painstaking describes work done with extreme care and thoroughness, paying close attention to every detail: painstaking research, a painstaking restoration of the original manuscript.

The word emphasizes the effort invested rather than any suffering—someone who is painstaking takes pains to get things right.

thorough

thorough

Complete in every detail

complete · detailed · systematic · methodical · rigorous · searching · intensive · thoroughgoing · analytical · investigative

meticulous

meticulous

Showing extreme attention to detail

fastidious · precise · methodical · systematic · punctilious · exacting · finicky · particular · fussy · perfectionist

diligent

diligent

Persistently attentive to tasks

dedicated · hardworking · tireless · persistent · steadfast · unflagging · devoted · earnest · sedulous · attentive

laborious

laborious

Requiring considerable effort

strenuous · time-consuming · tedious · demanding · taxing · onerous · burdensome · wearisome · tiring · effortful

attentive

attentive

Paying close notice

heedful · alert · vigilant · focused · concentrated · keen-eyed · sharp-eyed · eagle-eyed · careful · perceptive

Categories
Opposites
care and thoroughness

painstakingcareless

Inattentive, prone to mistakes

slapdash · sloppy · slipshod · cursory · negligent

effort and diligence

painstakinglazy

Avoiding effort or exertion

halfhearted · effortless · lackadaisical · perfunctory · rushed

Family

painstakingly

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G