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grueling

adjective

ˈgrü-ə-liŋ How to pronounce grueling (audio)
variants or gruelling
Definition of gruelingnext
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

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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 The stylistic approach works well enough during the many and extremely bloody action sequences, but eventually proves so relentless and lacking in modulation that the film becomes a grueling and sometimes tedious experience. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026 Testing a dissenting hypothesis often required weeks of alignment meetings, internal authorizations and grueling pilot programs. — Fabio Moioli, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026 Diva behavior, grueling rehearsals, and public scandal threaten to destroy not only the show but the Jackman Method itself. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026 He's also set an age record on the Grand Canyon's grueling rim-to-rim-to-rim route. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grueling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grueling
  1. difficult
  2. challenging
  3. tough
  4. demanding
  5. rigorous
  6. arduous
  7. hard
  8. formidable
Adjective
  • The outbreak is spreading under extremely difficult conditions, fueled by insecurity, displacement, a health workers' strike and intense population movements.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
  • And widespread adoption by farmers is challenging because perennial crops don’t yield as much, harvesting can be difficult and the market still is developing.
    — Joshua A. Bickel, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • A student who is laughing while solving a challenging problem is still learning.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Was working in the feature-length format freeing or more challenging?
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of challenging
Adjective
  • Because of the heat wave's dramatic effect on everyday life, Paris became a tough place to walk around in the sunshine.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
  • But Chipotle has been in a tough spot since Niccol departed in 2024, and even as Boatwright’s plan shows signs of momentum (same-store sales have begun to tick back up again), there are open questions about Chipotle’s strategic direction.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • Your character, Alex, is a literary agent, working in a demanding artistic field.
    — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • As industries increasingly operate equipment in extreme thermal and demanding environments, optical components must withstand conditions that can quickly degrade conventional materials.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of demanding
Adjective
  • To classify a new fiber, the FTC requires its makers to demonstrate that the material is fundamentally different from existing fibers, established through a rigorous regulatory review.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Success in the exam, one of the most rigorous standardized tests in the world, allows students to study at Korea’s top universities.
    — Lim Hui Jie,Miko Jang, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of rigorous
Adjective
  • The arduous journey has been completed officially 3,265 times — 2,128 of those being solo swims and 1,137 relay swims.
    — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Fried has had two arduous IL stints dealing with a bone bruise on his left elbow.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of arduous
Adjective
  • Their furrows reminded me of Rembrandt’s paintings of old men, brows carved deep by hard use and long years.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Since then, his settings have become harder to locate in the contemporary world.
    — Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of hard
Adjective
  • The decision to construct the film around precisely five-minute takes presents a formidable formal and technical challenge.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The Gateway defense was formidable, forcing seven negative plays in the first half, including four sacks, and limited the Eagles to 12 second-half snaps and one first down.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of formidable

Browse Nearby Words

grudgingly
grueling
gruesome
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Cite this Entry

“Grueling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grueling. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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