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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 Zehme kept plugging away, completing the first three-quarters of “Carson the Magnificent” before he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2013.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2024

It was old Doctor Merrivale hiding behind the curtains of his office, plugging away with a Daisy air rifle.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck