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
The Kansas City Comets are reeling, ending a grueling six-game run with three straight losses and a mounting injury list.
—
Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2025
His long, grueling rehabilitation process is complete.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2025
In 1800, most Americans worked in agriculture, where long, grueling hours were the norm.
—Matthew J. Slaughter, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
The Wolves are embarking on a grueling 11-game stretch that includes a few quick trips back home in between all of the roadies, giving this portion of action a make-or-break feel.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grueling
Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2025
His long, grueling rehabilitation process is complete.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2025
In 1800, most Americans worked in agriculture, where long, grueling hours were the norm.
—Matthew J. Slaughter, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
The Wolves are embarking on a grueling 11-game stretch that includes a few quick trips back home in between all of the roadies, giving this portion of action a make-or-break feel.
—Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grueling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grueling
Adjective
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As college sports continues its rapid professionalization, the ACC is in a difficult spot.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
19 Mar. 2025
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Most of the files are scans of documents, and some are blurred or have become faint or difficult to read in the decades since Kennedy's assassination.—
Joel Shannon,
USA TODAY,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Global hiring can offer a fresh solution in these challenging times.—
James Peters,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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Morgan Stanley's chief strategist anticipates a challenging few months for U.S. stocks as President Donald Trump's tariff policies continue to fuel market volatility.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While lapidary work involves precise and sometimes physically demanding tasks, the CEYLONS female gem-cutting program aims to banish any and all misconceptions that such labor is unsuitable for women.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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The most obvious question those holding or thinking of picking up tickets for future shows might be asking is whether Ann could still deliver some of the most demanding wailing in the rock ‘n’ roll canon at age 74, with or without the recent issues.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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State DOTs are responsible for developing projects and coordinating with site owners and charging companies, which can be an arduous process, markedly different from planning routine infrastructure projects.—
Bob Woods,
CNBC,
16 Mar. 2025
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That means no arduous stirring to reincorporate it.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appétit,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The New York Fed survey of consumer expectations showed respondents believe tougher economic conditions are ahead.—
Courtenay Brown,
Axios,
11 Mar. 2025
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Secret Service would likely have something to say about that, though the Cybertruck does have a pretty tough exterior.—
Emily Forlini,
PCMAG,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This is the product of a rigorous education that begins in the elementary school years, building on itself to the point of being an ongoing, lifelong commitment to self-development.—
Eli Amdur,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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Facing those challenges, top education officials moved to eliminate the elementary school at P.S. 76, and merge grades 6-8 with Mott Hall II, a nearby middle school that is adding a rigorous high school program.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Paranoid – Black Sabbath If Black Sabbath was the birth of doom, Paranoid was the moment the monster lurched to its feet, six stories tall and stomping toward the future of heavy music.—
Darryn King,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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Sweet gum grows 60-75 feet tall and is hardy in Zones 5-9. 06 of 07 Tulip Tree Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) roots are fleshy and sparse.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
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Whether those numbers are an overstatement, or possibly an understatement, is hard to say.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Grueling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grueling. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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