GRUELING Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

grueling

adjective

ˈgrü-ə-liŋ

variants or gruelling

Definition of grueling

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort running a marathon is grueling

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of grueling Marshall’s victory sets the stage for a potentially grueling race ahead of the November election. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026 Their deaths occurred within five days of each other, as the country is gripped by a grueling spell of intense heat. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 5 Aug. 2026 Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget director is leaving, the latest shakeup of his administration’s finance team ahead of what is sure to be a grueling budget season. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026 Even as Riley took jab after jab for running away from one of college football’s most prestigious rivalries, the coach remained steadfast in noting the inequity in their schedules, with USC facing Notre Dame amid a grueling Big Ten schedule. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grueling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grueling

Adjective

Establishing that sense of familiarity requires time spent playing and training together, something made more difficult by a constant carousel of new signings.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Nugraha said difficult terrain has complicated efforts, with some hotspots located on steep volcanic slopes that are difficult to reach by land.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

Enforcing the new ordinance is not as challenging as critics charge, Boone said.

— Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026
In Tony, Bourdain not only flees to Provincetown to follow Nancy, but also to escape his challenging relationship with his parents, Gladys and Pierre Bourdain.

— Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

That left the debtor having to prove the negative that the debtor really didn't have any way to re-establish control over trust assets, and such was (and still is) a very tough sell.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Lombard also helped turn a double play in the second inning and handled another tough one-hopper hit by Cesar Prieto in the seventh.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

By automating repetitive, physically demanding and highly variable tasks, intelligent robotics allows experienced people to focus on the work where their judgment and expertise create the greatest value.

— Ariyan Kabir, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
However, rather than viewing the demanding conditions as a disadvantage, Simmons believes the heat can become an advantage for the Panthers.

— Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of demanding

Adjective

Audit Before You Affirm (or Reject) Before issuing a public statement, conduct a rigorous internal review across all seven areas.

— David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
In fact, there is no federal law against providing medical care for transgender adolescents according to the rigorous standards of care.

— Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of rigorous

Adjective

Chapman faces an arduous road to recovery, especially for a player known for his agility on defense.

— Devin Bradshaw, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2026
This unique union of cultures and flavors didn’t just collide in the kitchen one day—these dishes required long, arduous, life-changing journeys in order to land before me.

— Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of arduous

Adjective

Certainly Larimore is pointing out that hard times lead to hard truths and hard decisions.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
Perseus Rising in the northeast after dark, Perseus is not the easiest constellation to make sense of, but its rich star fields are hard to miss.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of hard

Adjective

Webber seemed the perfect fit for Golden State and Nelson, and a bigger, more athletic Warriors team seemed to have a more formidable Big Three in Webber, Owens and second-year guard Latrell Sprewell, with Mullin still on hand as well.

— Carl Steward, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
Leykin, 19, is a formidable challenger, placing in the top five on four apparatuses.

— Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of formidable

Browse Nearby Words

grudgingly

grueling

gruesome

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“Grueling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grueling. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of grueling

adjective

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