labored

(verb) strive and make an effort to reach a goal. Synonyms: tug, labor, labour, push, drive. Examples: "She tugged for years to make a decent living." "We have to push a little to make the deadline!." "She is driving away at her doctoral thesis."

(verb) work hard. Synonyms: labor, labour, toil, fag, travail, grind, drudge, dig, moil. Examples: "She was digging away at her math homework." "Lexicographers drudge all day long."

(verb) undergo the efforts of childbirth. Synonyms: labor, labour.

(adj) lacking natural ease. Synonyms: laboured, strained. Example: "A labored style of debating."

(adj) requiring or showing effort. Synonyms: heavy, laboured. Examples: "Heavy breathing." "The subject made for labored reading."