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

During the grueling, six-hour long double jaw surgery, his top jaw was moved forward 11 millimeters, and his lower jaw was moved back 4 millimeters. —Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 17 Dec. 2025

The food and beverage community’s sacrifices and grueling, round-the-clock work are recognized. —Mary Lebus, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Dec. 2025

But three decades ago, in 1995, getting the first million dollars in seed capital for Amazon was more grueling than any challenge that would follow. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 15 Dec. 2025

During the trial, fellow officers and loved ones of Chirino delivered grueling testimony about how their lives were changed by Chirino’s murder. —Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 15 Dec. 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