painstakingly
/ˈpeɪnzteɪkɪŋli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpeɪnzteɪkɪŋli/ (ame, ipa)
painstakingly — adverb
1. to do something with intense, detailed attention, investing significant time and
to do something with intense, detailed attention, investing significant time and effort so that every part of the work is as correct or perfect as possible.
Kofi painstakingly restored the old wooden fishing boat over two years.
painstakingly + restored (craftsmanship/restoration context)
The rare manuscripts in the basement were painstakingly catalogued by the night-shift librarian.
Before submitting her thesis, Mei painstakingly checked every equation twice.
Painstakingly brushing away layers of soil, the archaeologists uncovered a Roman mosaic.
Yasmin painstakingly stitched tiny glass beads onto the wedding dress by hand.
The detective painstakingly pieced together evidence from three separate crime scenes.
- meticulously
Similar intensity; emphasises attention to tiny details rather than overall effort
- laboriously
Focuses more on physical or mental effort and slowness than on precision
- thoroughly
Emphasises completeness; does not necessarily imply the work was slow or difficult
- assiduously
Formal register; highlights dedication and persistence over time
- carelessly
Opposite in both attitude and result
- haphazardly
Emphasises lack of planning and order
文法句型
painstakingly + verb (describes the manner of an action)
painstakingly + past participle (as adjective)
用法筆記
Typically pairs with verbs describing detailed physical or intellectual work — for example, restore, examine, check, plan, reconstruct, stitch, or document. The adverb implies that the action was slow and demanded sustained effort, not just ordinary care.