Synonyms for

Labour

Noun / ˈleɪbɜ: / Another word for labour — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

work, especially hard physical work.

Synonyms & similar words

fag toil dig drive confinement parturiency childbed moil labor travail drudge tug grind push proletariat work toil effort exertion industry employment job occupation task chore drudgery grind sweat slavery struggle toiling travail laboriousness hardship painstaking

Synonyms by register

Formal

work employment occupation toil exertion

Informal

grind hustle gig job effort

Literary

drudgery endeavor travail

Antonyms

ease idleness leisure rest relaxation inaction passivity

Common collocations

  • hard labour
  • manual labour
  • paid labour
  • labour dispute
  • labour pains
  • labour market
  • labour laws

Word family

noun labour
verb labour
adjective laboured
adverb labouredly

Usage note

In American English, the spelling 'labor' is preferred. 'Labour' can refer to both the physical or mental effort expended and the process of childbirth.

Compare "labour" with another word →

Example sentences

  1. My dad went to labour every day to provide for us.
  2. I have to labour over this math problem because it's hard.
  3. I enjoy the labour of painting because it's relaxing.
  4. We hired a group of people to do the labour for the construction project.
  5. The woman was in labour for over 12 hours before giving birth.

Quotes

  • Labour was the first price, the original purchase - money that was paid for all things.
  • All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.
  • Without labour nothing prospers.

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