grueling

adjective

gru·​el·​ing ˈgrü-ə-liŋ 

variants or gruelling

: trying or taxing to the point of exhaustion : punishing

a grueling race

gruelingly

ˈgrü-ə-liŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• arduous
• Augean
• backbreaking
• challenging
• demanding
• difficult
• effortful
• exacting
• formidable
• hard
• heavy
• hellacious
• herculean
• killer
• laborious
• moiling
• murderous
• pick-and-shovel
• rigorous
• rough
• rugged
• severe
• stiff
• strenuous
• sweaty
• tall
• testing
• toilsome
• tough
• uphill

Examples of grueling in a Sentence

running a marathon is grueling

cutting diamonds can be grueling work

Recent Examples on the Web

By creating a false dichotomy between talent and dedication, Combs justified the show’s grueling demands of contestants, his role as their kingmaker, and his explosive anger when the women failed to meet his expectations. —Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 15 Oct. 2024

Ramirez’s lineout concluded a grueling a nine-pitch encounter Rodon got ahead with his changeup, watched Ramirez foul off three of the next four pitches, take two balls to even the count, foul of f a fastball. —Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

Over the last year and a half, Romer underwent a grueling rehabilitation process. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2024

Filming some of the world’s most recognizable athletes during an always grueling NBA schedule posed challenges for Scalettar and the producers. —Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of obsolete gruel to exhaust, punish, from gruel, noun

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

grueling

adjective

gru·​el·​ing

variants or gruelling

ˈgrü-ə-liŋ 

: requiring extreme effort : exhausting