The term 'laborious effort' can be broken down into three crossword solutions: TRAVAIL (7 letters), PAINS (5 letters), and EXERTION (8 letters). TRAVAIL is a French word meaning hard work or labor, while PAINS refers to the physical or mental suffering that comes with hard work. EXERTION is the act of putting forth a great amount of effort in order to accomplish something. All three words together describe the hard work and effort that goes into a laborious effort.