belabor

belabor — verb

  • belaborpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • belabors3rd person singular
  • belaboring-ing form
  • belaboredpast simple

1. to speak to or about someone in a sharply negative way, often returning to the s

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to speak to or about someone in a sharply negative way, often returning to the same fault again and again

Example

The radio host belabored the mayor for wasting money on banners.

belabor + person + for + mistake

Jenna kept belaboring her brother over the dent in the car door.

Common collocations
  • belabor the mayor
  • belabor the coach
  • belabor someone over a mistake
Synonyms
  • criticize

    the broad neutral verb for pointing out faults

  • berate

    sounds angrier and more direct, often face to face

  • attack

    is stronger and can suggest open hostility

Antonyms
  • praise

    expresses approval instead of blame

  • defend

    supports someone rather than criticizing them

Grammar Patterns

belabor + person

belabor + person + for/about + fault

Usage Note

Object is usually a person or group receiving strong blame, often followed by for or about plus the offense. Distinguish from sense 3, where the speaker dwells on a topic rather than attacking a target.

2. to strike a person or thing again and again with heavy force

2.verbtransitiveC2
Definition

to strike a person or thing again and again with heavy force

Example

Minho belabored the frozen lock with a metal hammer.

belabor + object + with + tool

Waves belabored the old pier through the night storm.

Common collocations
  • belabor a lock
  • belabor a gate
  • belabor something with a hammer
Synonyms
  • batter

    emphasizes repeated heavy blows, especially to an object

  • pound

    is a common everyday verb for striking again and again

  • thrash

    usually suggests a violent beating of a person

Antonyms
  • spare

    means not to strike or harm

  • protect

    means keeping someone or something from harm

Grammar Patterns

belabor + person/object

belabor + object + with + tool

Usage Note

Object can be a person or a physical thing, and the verb suggests repeated blows rather than a single hit. Distinguish from sense 1, which uses words instead of force.

3. to keep going over a point longer than needed, giving it more detail or attentio

3.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to keep going over a point longer than needed, giving it more detail or attention than it deserves

Example

The lecturer belabored one slide until half the class stopped taking notes.

belabor + topic beyond what is needed

Ada belabored the budget issue long after everyone understood the plan.

Common collocations
  • belabor the point
  • belabor the issue
  • belabor the obvious
Synonyms
  • dwell on

    often means staying on a subject longer than is helpful

  • harp on

    is more informal and often sounds annoyed

  • overexplain

    focuses on giving more detail than the listener needs

Antonyms
  • summarize

    gives only the main points

  • move on

    stops discussing the topic and continues

Grammar Patterns

belabor + point/topic

belabor + issue + with extra detail

Usage Note

Object is usually a point, issue, or explanation rather than a person. Distinguish from sense 1, where the repeated focus falls on blaming someone.

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

These verbs all involve speaking negatively, but they do not land the same way. 'Belabor' suggests heavy, repeated criticism that keeps returning to the same weakness or mistake. 'Criticize' is the broad neutral choice and can sound calm or measured. 'Berate' is more openly angry and usually feels direct and personal. 'Scold' often comes from a parent, teacher, or other authority figure correcting someone. 'Attack' is the strongest option and can imply hostility or unfair aggression. A paper may criticize a policy, a parent may scold a child, and callers may belabor a mayor over the same error for days.

criticize ↗berate ↗scold ↗attack ↗

Etymology

EnglishFrenchLatin

The word combines the English intensive prefix 'be-' with labor or labour. It first carried the idea of working at or beating at something heavily, and later widened to repeated verbal criticism or overly drawn-out explanation.

First known use

1596

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1a