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

The drama will be told from the vantage of lone survivor Anna Conrad, and the heroic first responders who risked their lives in a grueling search and rescue effort and a race against time. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2025

Doing grueling stunt work is tough, and stunt performers need their makeup to hold up through even the most challenging elements. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

Monthly check-ups, comparing notes Ball and Landeskog are bonded together by scars, not only on their knees but from a grueling recovery. —Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2025

Race organizers must adjust to keep traditions alive Since its inception in 1973, Iditarod has earned the reputation of a grueling battle among teams consisting of fierce competitors. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 1 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