variants
or gruelling
1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
running a marathon is grueling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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
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
-
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
-
Following the loss of their family home, the couple was surrounded by the love and support of friends and family who stepped up to help them during this difficult time.—
Clea Haran,
Parents,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
Oakmont is a notoriously challenging course, a venue that has already seen big-name players like defending champion Bryson DeChambeau fail to make it through to the last two rounds.—
Patrick Snell,
CNN Money,
14 June 2025
-
Preparing to shoot the live-action footage was also challenging.—
Kambole Campbell,
Variety,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
All have long-standing reputations and a superb stock that will meet the requirements of the most demanding connoisseur.—
Felipe Schrieberg,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
-
Liberatore is a professional shaped by the demanding and deeply influential disciplines of medicine and law.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
But that season got increasingly arduous for Golden State.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
-
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
-
In Mind For startups, achieving more with less can be tough.—
John Hall,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
-
The vote took place against an increasingly violent backlash to the Trump administration's tough immigration policies.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
Adjective
-
The next afternoon, Gomes sat in and watched Ohtani throw a rigorous bullpen session to simulate multiple innings.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
-
Adopt a zero-trust security model that emphasizes rigorous access rules and constant authentication.—
Rob Lydic,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Keep a distance from tall, solitary trees or other elevated structures.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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 29 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share