variants
or gruelling
1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
running a marathon is grueling
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
cutting diamonds can be grueling work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grueling
But even pursuits that might appear more obviously indulgent—dining, say—attained gruelling rigor in yuppie hands.
—
Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Being assistant to the president for National Security Affairs is a grueling job requiring 24/7 vigilance.
—Arthur House, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2026
After a grueling stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), his parents were finally able to take him home and begin creating memories beyond the hospital walls.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
With their international friendlies concluded, players like Szoboszlai — who endured a gruelling season — will have time to rest and reset physically and emotionally.
—Andy Jones, New York Times, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for grueling
Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Being assistant to the president for National Security Affairs is a grueling job requiring 24/7 vigilance.
—Arthur House, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2026
After a grueling stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), his parents were finally able to take him home and begin creating memories beyond the hospital walls.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
With their international friendlies concluded, players like Szoboszlai — who endured a gruelling season — will have time to rest and reset physically and emotionally.
—Andy Jones, New York Times, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for grueling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grueling
Adjective
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The verdict was delivered amid difficult personal circumstances for Mette-Marit, Hoiby’s mother, who needs a lung transplant for pulmonary fibrosis.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
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Otherwise, those prospects start becoming large contracts that stand more difficult to move or aggregate.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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The agreement calls for an immediate end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, and sets out expectations for the next phase of talks, which will tackle more challenging issues, mainly the future of Iran's nuclear program.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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This creates a particularly challenging environment for those working in contributor welfare.—
Emma Pringle,
Deadline,
17 June 2026
Adjective
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McIlroy bogeyed 18 to finish at one under, squarely in the hunt, considering the tough conditions limited scoring.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
-
Parker, a former Eagles assistant, has risen quickly through the NFL coaching ranks and now faces a tough task with a roster full of new faces and high expectations.—
Briana Aldridge,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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The formula is more demanding than most people realize, and the research behind it suggests close friendships may matter more for long-term health than almost anything else.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
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Why do humanoids still struggle The problem is that battlefields are among the most demanding environments imaginable.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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This is why getting a high-definition picture of a leader — through rigorous assessment, psychometric profiling, structured reference gathering, and behavioural history — is not an optional extra in the selection process.—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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Every gas article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal finance products.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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McGregor’s recovery was lengthy and arduous.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
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For the first time, Mangia acknowledged getting people to vote for an increase in sales taxes was going to take a long, arduous battle.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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The Atlas Lions also frustrated their Scottish foes with their physicality, taking down Christie, McTominay and others with a series of hard challenges that did not draw whistles.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
20 June 2026
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The Cardinals had rallied for three runs in the ninth, and Jose Fermin hit a hard grounder to Tolbert’s left.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
Adjective
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More than 30 years ago, Anna and her manager and trusted companion, Betsy Samson (a formidable Denise Burse), fled to Europe on the heels of a highbrow scandal.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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Sure, Carpenter’s cut-the-ruggers are pizzazzing with their flips and cartwheels, but the Grande gang make formidable dance foes in the Sharks and Jets sense of the word.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grueling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grueling. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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