adj

laboured

LAY-buhd

adj

Showing clear signs of strain or heavy effort.

"His breathing became laboured as he neared the top of the climb."

Sounding stiff or unnatural because too much effort went into producing it.

"The speech felt laboured, as if every joke had been rehearsed too many times."

How to Use Laboured

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStrained, effortful, or forced — whether it's breathing, walking, or writing.

UK vs US

British spelling; American English uses "labored."

more laboured comparative, most laboured superlative

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His breathing became _____ as he neared the top of the climb.

figured injured assured secured insured scoured coloured captured favoured tortured measured honoured