grueling

adjective

gru·​el·​ing ˈgrü-ə-liŋ 

variants or gruelling

: trying or taxing to the point of exhaustion : punishing

a grueling race

a grueling schedule

gruelingly

ˈgrü-ə-liŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of grueling

• difficult
• challenging
• tough
• rigorous
• demanding
• hard
• formidable

Examples of grueling in a Sentence

running a marathon is grueling

cutting diamonds can be grueling work

Recent Examples on the Web

The constant flow of advice and tips of the trade are needed in a grueling 162-game season. — Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026

And the reconciliation process can be long and grueling. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 24 June 2026

For summer cookouts, don’t miss this Coleman hard cooler that truly punched above its price point in the grueling Alabama heat. — Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 25 June 2026

Players might also take scissors to their socks as a solution to ward off cramping or reduce muscle strains and fatigue during a grueling 90-minute game. — Alex Connor, USA Today, 23 June 2026

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