Definition

Verb: 1. To attack verbally with harsh criticism; to berate. To criticize someone or something repeatedly and severely. 2. To work at or discuss something to an excessive or absurd length. To elaborate on a point far beyond what is necessary or reasonable. 3. To beat soundly. (This meaning is now archaic or literary.)

Usage and Examples

• Verb (Meaning 1: Harsh Criticism):
  • The senator belabored his opponent's inconsistent voting record during the debate.
  • There's no need to belabor the intern for a simple mistake; just show her the correct procedure.
• Verb (Meaning 2: Excessive Discussion):
  • The professor tended to belabor minor points, making his lectures much longer than needed.
  • I won't belabor the argument, as my main point is already clear.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• The most common modern usage relates to excessive verbal action (criticism or discussion) rather than physical action.
• The phrase "to belabor the point" or "to belabor the obvious" is a fixed expression meaning to discuss something simple or already understood in tedious, unnecessary detail.
  • Example: Everyone knows smoking is harmful, so there's no need to belabor the point.

Variants and Related Words

• Belabour: The British English spelling variant.
• Labor (Verb): To work hard; to elaborate or stress a point in argument. ("Belabor" intensifies this meaning to imply excess.)

Synonyms

• Berate, lambaste, castigate (for meaning 1: harsh criticism).
• Overelaborate, dwell on, harp on (for meaning 2: excessive discussion).
• Beat, thrash (for the archaic meaning 3).

Idioms and Common Phrases

• Belabor the point / Belabor the obvious: To explain or discuss something simple or already known in excessive, unnecessary detail.
  • Example: The instructions are self-explanatory; let's not belabor the obvious.

Verb

1. beat soundly
2. attack verbally with harsh criticism
   • She was belabored by her fellow students
3. to work at or to absurd length
   • belabor the obvious