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

Having just flown in after wrapping up the latest leg of his grueling Born in the USA tour the night before in Syracuse, the Boss went in for a hug and Dylan responded warmly. —Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 13 Mar. 2025

Two, Cease lacked good command at the end of last year’s grueling run that included a no-hitter, the franchise’s second. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025

These individuals revealed grueling 12-hour shifts where workers were not provided with essential protective gear, leaving them vulnerable to myriad health and safety risks. —Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025

The parade’s length might be a bit grueling for parents pulling wagons with kids, high school bands playing music, or even the observers. —Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for grueling

• refueling

Kids Definition

grueling

adjective

gru·​el·​ing

variants or gruelling

ˈgrü-ə-liŋ 

: requiring extreme effort : exhausting