Painstaking is a word that is commonly used to describe something that requires a lot of care, effort and attention to detail. If you're looking for synonyms for this word, there are quite a few options to choose from. Some alternative words you might consider include meticulous, thorough, diligent, careful, fastidious, scrupulous, assiduous, conscientious, and attentive. Each of these words can be used to convey the idea of something requiring a high level of precision and care, and can be a great way to add nuance and variety to your writing. Whether you're writing a formal report or crafting a more creative piece of writing, using the right words can make all the difference.