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
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Recent Examples of grueling
Comments The Challenge: All Stars Rivals crowned two champions after a grueling two-day final and a photo-finish ending.
—
Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Its first season chronicles one exceptionally grueling 15-hour shift inside an emergency room at a fictional hospital in Pittsburgh, told one hour at a time, in real time.
—Jeremy D. Larson, Pitchfork, 11 Apr. 2025
The second episode of the series sees all four main characters strongly considering quitting their residencies, almost immediately worn down by the grueling labor conditions.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 16 Apr. 2025
An ‘Extraordinary’ Day Hike: The Cactus to Clouds ascent just outside Palm Springs, Calif., is grueling, but natural treasures, and a speedy trip down, await anyone who is up to the challenge.
—Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grueling
Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Its first season chronicles one exceptionally grueling 15-hour shift inside an emergency room at a fictional hospital in Pittsburgh, told one hour at a time, in real time.
—Jeremy D. Larson, Pitchfork, 11 Apr. 2025
The second episode of the series sees all four main characters strongly considering quitting their residencies, almost immediately worn down by the grueling labor conditions.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 16 Apr. 2025
An ‘Extraordinary’ Day Hike: The Cactus to Clouds ascent just outside Palm Springs, Calif., is grueling, but natural treasures, and a speedy trip down, await anyone who is up to the challenge.
—Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grueling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grueling
Adjective
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Rust, a difficult movie to release, grossed $25k at 115 theaters, presented by Falling Forward Films.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
4 May 2025
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Surace 39-37 Round 3 - These are difficult to score.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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Despite being born into a socioeconomically challenging environment, Muhammad realized early that empowerment could come from knowledge.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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Saving for retirement has become more challenging for many reasons.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Improving the air traffic system will also require the coordination of tens of thousands of safety workers in one of the country’s most demanding professions.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2025
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Unskilled workers handle physically demanding tasks like trench digging, concrete mixing and site preparation, and earn lower wages.—
Bahaa Chammout,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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According to reports, nearly four months after the wildfires, residents have begun the arduous process of rebuilding, with only a few permits approved due to the traditionally slow and intricate permitting process.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
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Advanced cystic fibrosis makes even simple things like walking or showering arduous and exhausting.—
Laura Ungar,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Federal judges have so far been skeptical of the Trump administration’s past efforts to use extraordinary powers to make deportations easier, and that could make suspending habeas corpus even tougher.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2025
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Last year’s drought conditions that extended into late fall combined with very windy winter conditions and frozen soils were tough for some evergreens.—
Pamm Cooper,
Hartford Courant,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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Every debt-relief product review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of debt-relief products.—
Dana Miranda,
CNBC,
29 Apr. 2025
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Taking the rigorous steps to join the community opens up a whole new world of possibilities.—
Alyssa Mercante,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Among the Americans taking hormones are many cisgender children and teen-agers who take human growth hormone in order to grow taller, or take birth control in order to regulate their periods or avoid pregnancy.—
S. C. Cornell,
New Yorker,
2 May 2025
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The mid-rise fit comes in standard, petite, plus, and tall size ranges, but Thomas recommends getting one or two sizes larger, to really get the slouchy feel of boyfriend jeans.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Glamour,
1 May 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 14 May. 2025.
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