TOILS Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

toils 1 of 2

noun

plural of toil

as in tangle

something that catches and holds a married woman hopelessly caught in the toils of an extramarital affair

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toils

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of toil

as in labors

to devote serious and sustained effort toiled for many years on the mammoth outdoor sculpture

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of toils

Noun

The gods themselves are also an unnerving presence, omnipresent beings of colossal power who see humans as their playthings and view Ulysses' toils as some twisted spectator sport. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 July 2026 There has to be a chance that Jos Buttler’s toils in Sri Lanka and India represent his last ventures on the international stage, and therefore the end of an era. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026 Both were premised on the idea of frictionless ease, liberating their users from outmoded toils. — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026 The conceit of narrating a year in one’s life through the toils and sensations of the kitchen is one that many have taken up before. — Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026

Verb

Anthony Hernandez toils in the brutish profession that is a mixed martial arts fighter, no wimps allowed. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026 The silent sci-fi film, which depicts a dystopian future in which the wealthy upper class prospers in a utopia while the working class lives and toils in a dismal underground society, was released in theaters in 1927. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026 While Alina toils in the greenhouses, Lucian makes new friends. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 May 2026 Yoriko toils in anonymity in Nagi as a sculptor of human figures hewn from raw blocks of wood. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026 Union itself released a dramatic trailer set in a surgical amphitheater in which a medical team toils away at the sneaker. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 4 Feb. 2026 Several Democratic incumbents are seeing their young primary opponents boast impressive fundraising numbers as the party toils between placing its faith in its incumbent establishment or in a future featuring younger, more progressive candidates. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toils

Noun

In the nearly 3,000 patients who donated their brains to science, the brains of those who took estrogen were less likely to show neurobiological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, such as beta-amyloid plaques or tangles of tau protein.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026
It can be set up in under a minute without a tangle of wires to trip over.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of tangle

Verb

Don’t wait until a leader is tapped on the shoulder to take a top job only to realize the leader struggles with collaboration or lacks executive presence.

— Roberta Matuson, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Only the collision between Manette, Darnay and Carton unleashes a complex love triangle as both men fight for her love and Manette struggles over whom to choose.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of struggles

Noun

Jurin keeps working after the conversation ends—across phone, email, web chat and LINE, the messaging app used by the vast majority of Japan’s population—connecting plain language to the software that acts.

— Jurin AI Contributor, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
There appears to be no indication the scammer or scammers behind this web of deception are anywhere close to slowing down.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of web

Verb

First Tee is a youth development organization that strives to building strength of character in kids using the game of golf.

— Zach Schenfisch, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
The proposal to redevelop Corporate Woods comes at a time when the city strives to transform the area into a more walkable and vibrant space for residents, workers and visitors.

— Taylor O'Connor August 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of strives

Verb

The spa is intimate rather than sprawling, but the combination of treatments, nail bar, gym, and quiet pool deck works well for a restorative stay.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Nina Smith, a former Buttigieg adviser who now works closely with progressive causes, disagreed.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of works

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toiling

toils

toilsome

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“Toils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toils. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of toils

noun

verb

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