variants
or gruelling
1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
running a marathon is grueling
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
cutting diamonds can be grueling work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of grueling
McIntyre has not appeared on WWE television since that definitive loss, taking time away from the company after a grueling first half of the year.
—
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
While riggers hung massive lights and construction workers assembled the stage on a grueling day before Tyler Childers‘ June 2024 concert at the United Center, three young locals showed up: Cheryl, Larry and Ted.
—Steve Knopper, Billboard, 9 June 2025
Coach Rich Wallace spent the past offseason rebuilding the roster through the transfer portal, adding more pitchers in hopes of handling the grueling challenge of playing in the Big 12.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025
Read’s unusually successful sailing history includes winning more than 60 world and national championships, skippering three America’s Cup teams, and leading multiple grueling round-the-world Volvo Ocean Races.
—The Editors, Robb Report, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grueling
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
While riggers hung massive lights and construction workers assembled the stage on a grueling day before Tyler Childers‘ June 2024 concert at the United Center, three young locals showed up: Cheryl, Larry and Ted.
—Steve Knopper, Billboard, 9 June 2025
Coach Rich Wallace spent the past offseason rebuilding the roster through the transfer portal, adding more pitchers in hopes of handling the grueling challenge of playing in the Big 12.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025
Read’s unusually successful sailing history includes winning more than 60 world and national championships, skippering three America’s Cup teams, and leading multiple grueling round-the-world Volvo Ocean Races.
—The Editors, Robb Report, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grueling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grueling
Adjective
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This moderately difficult, half-mile trail through the Mission Hills Open Space, is located across from Pioneer Park.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2025
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The same ingredients that target dirt and oils in your hair can easily be redirected to lift difficult grease around the home.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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All of these factors combine to make AI adoption incredibly challenging, expensive and time-consuming.—
Dave Friend,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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As such, piloting an FPV drone is a completely different, entirely more challenging kettle of fish than piloting a standard camera drone.—
Sam Kieldsen,
Wired News,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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But the plaintiffs in the case and the Biden administration said the appeals court was wrong to apply that standard and should have instead analyzed it under the most demanding level, strict scrutiny, because the law impedes adults' access to speech protected by the Constitution.—
June 27,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
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Further stymying manufacturing’s renaissance is that plant work isn’t just dirty and physically demanding – albeit less than in prior generations – but also relatively low-paying with limited career prospects.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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But that season got increasingly arduous for Golden State.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
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The video chronicles the woman, Cassey Ashby, and her partner's arduous process detailing the hours of training and home studies needed to become the twins' foster, and eventually adoptive, parents.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
Even these young players already have major tournament experience — a huge strength given their tough group.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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However, generally speaking, insoluble fiber is commonly found in whole grains, bran, legumes, nuts, seeds, produce skins, and tough vegetables and fruits.—
Mara Santilli,
SELF,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Experimental adoption is fine, as long as it's paired with rigorous due diligence and clearly defined outcomes.—
Stephanie Domas,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Hunting was off limits, as was trapping or poisoning, and the listing included rigorous habitat protections.—
Christine Peterson,
Vox,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Her presence on the floor presents as another tall obstacle for opposing teams to deal with.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
20 June 2025
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Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
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Whether those numbers are an overstatement, or possibly an understatement, is hard to say.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Grueling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grueling. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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