labor
Usage
What are other ways to say labor?
Labor particularly denotes hard manual work: backbreaking labor; arduous labor. Drudgery suggests continuous, dreary, and dispiriting work, especially of a menial or servile kind: the drudgery of household tasks. Toil suggests wearying or exhausting labor: toil that breaks down the worker's health. Work is the general word and may apply to exertion that is either easy or hard: fun work; heavy work.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The pattern also matches up with a low-fire, low-hire dynamic in the labor market, according to Michael Taiano, senior analyst at Moody’s Ratings.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026
There is a “thick, mostly invisible layer of human labor holding the whole thing together,” the report said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026
Local human-rights groups have tied excessive microfinance debt to suicides, migration, child labor and decreased food consumption.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
But they are keeping an eye on four scenarios—inflation, the strength of the labor market, geopolitical concerns, and the Federal Reserve under a new chairman, that could make the outlook less certain.
From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026
When my mother was pregnant, right up until the time of labor, she would go out and do chores.
From "Facing the Lion" by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton and Herman Viola
Vocabulary lists containing labor
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Labor Day Lexicon: Words That Put You To Work
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Working Together: The Language of Unions
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
