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

• difficult
• challenging
• demanding
• tough
• rigorous
• tall
• hard

Examples of grueling in a Sentence

running a marathon is grueling

cutting diamonds can be grueling work

Recent Examples on the Web

Not only is the work physically and mentally grueling, hotshots must dedicate at least six months of their life to their crew, sacrificing time with family and friends, along with individual autonomy. —River Selby august 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025

The struggle of grappling with success, particularly among Black artists, is a grueling one. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2025

Prince William and Princess Kate are making the change after a grueling year, as both King Charles and Princess Kate were diagnosed with cancer in 2024. —Janine Henni, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025

First premiering in theaters in 1985, the box office hit follows the five high school stereotypes amid a grueling Saturday in detention. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 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