grueling

adjective

gru·​el·​ing ˈgrü-ə-liŋ How to pronounce grueling (audio)
variants or gruelling
Synonyms of gruelingnext
: trying or taxing to the point of exhaustion : punishing
a grueling race
a grueling schedule
gruelingly adverb

Examples of grueling in a Sentence

running a marathon is grueling cutting diamonds can be grueling work
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For many travelers, the process of planning their trips is a grueling slog through endless price comparisons and messy browser tabs. Sydney Goh, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026 This is only one of many physically grueling scenes from Theron’s upcoming film Apex. Outside, 10 Mar. 2026 Training regimens are as grueling as those of any Olympic gold medalist. Oksana Masters, Time, 6 Mar. 2026 The question is whether ambition can translate into results across the grueling, multiyear gauntlet of English football’s promotion system. Ryan Brennan march 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grueling

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of obsolete gruel to exhaust, punish, from gruel, noun

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of grueling was in 1852

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grueling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grueling. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

grueling

adjective
gru·​el·​ing
variants or gruelling
: requiring extreme effort : exhausting

More from Merriam-Webster on grueling

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