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plugging away

ADJECTIVE
employed
Synonyms
STRONGEST
engaged hired occupied
STRONG
busy inked laboring operating selected signed
WEAK
active at it at work in a job in collar in harness in place on board on duty on the job on the payroll
Antonyms
WEAK
idle inactive unemployed unengaged unoccupied
ADJECTIVE
jobholding
Synonyms
WEAK
active at it at work busy engaged hired in a job in collar in harness in place inked laboring occupied on board on duty on the job on the payroll operating retained selected signed working

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.

"There's gonna be times throughout the years that you fall short, you get back up and dust yourself off and keep plugging away -- Sam's been that steadying force," added Macdonald.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

“So I just kept plugging away with what I was doing, and that’s what carried me here,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

Katie Miller is still plugging away at her job as the world’s least-charming podcast host.

From Salon • Jan. 22, 2026

But there is no doubting her remarkable capacity to keep bouncing back and to keep on plugging away, when others would have been down and out years ago.

From BBC • Aug. 8, 2025

I kept plugging away at the language, and my English-language teacher, Mrs. Khoji, took a personal interest in me.

From "How Dare the Sun Rise" by Sandra Uwiringiyimana

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