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

Black workers — among them the tens of thousands drawn from Jamaica and Barbados to perform the most grueling excavation labor — were paid lower wages, housed in substandard quarters, and segregated at pay windows, hospitals, and schools. — Zachary Kranc, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026

The photo, though not released to the public before Sunday, was taken in June as Kate completed the grueling Three Peaks Challenge, which saw her hike the tallest mountains in England, Scotland, and Wales in just 24 hours. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 26 Oct. 2026

At one point, Barringer reminisced about the grueling task of curing tobacco and asked everyone who had undergone that rural North Carolina rite of passage to raise a hand. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Finally, after three grueling hours waiting in the church, Michelle was reunited with her two sons. — Taylor Galgano, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 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