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 fact that this extremely complex and grueling mission was successfully executed with so few injuries is a testament to the expertise of our joint warriors. —January 9, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

After a grueling and intense 15 hours in the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center’s ER, some fans of the Max show might be wondering where a beloved doctor is. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 8 Jan. 2026

So, with Larkin, Raymond and Moritz Seider all set to go to an even longer, potentially more grueling tournament in the Olympics next month, how those three key drivers return is going to have a huge say in the Red Wings’ outlook. —Max Bultman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026

Rebuilding after disaster is almost always a grueling, slow process. —Calmatters, Daily News, 7 Jan. 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