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
Burnett and Ervin were part of the bloc of 18 aldermen who sided with the mayor during a grueling fight last December that saw a City Council majority pass the 2026 budget over Johnson’s objections.
—
Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
For many travelers, the process of planning their trips is a grueling slog through endless price comparisons and messy browser tabs.
—Sydney Goh, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
At the Indian Wells Open, the clock had already ticked past midnight when Eala wrapped up a grueling second-round battle.
—Ryan Brennan
march 11, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
This is only one of many physically grueling scenes from Theron’s upcoming film Apex.
—Outside, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grueling
Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
For many travelers, the process of planning their trips is a grueling slog through endless price comparisons and messy browser tabs.
—Sydney Goh, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
At the Indian Wells Open, the clock had already ticked past midnight when Eala wrapped up a grueling second-round battle.
—Ryan Brennan
march 11, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
This is only one of many physically grueling scenes from Theron’s upcoming film Apex.
—Outside, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grueling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grueling
Adjective
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Kansas played the Blue Devils close and made life difficult for Duke freshman Cameron Boozer, largely thanks to Flory Bidunga’s defense.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2026
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Parents in attendance shared appreciation for seeing teens connect with older adults, especially during a stage of life when meaningful conversation at home can sometimes feel more difficult.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In his 12 seasons, the Mustangs have played a challenging independent schedule featuring many Class 3A and 4A programs.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2026
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This challenging late-season stretch comes with the Heat trying to avoid the play-in tournament for the first time in four years.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Middle linebacker is one of the toughest positions to play in today’s game, but Smith has the mental makeup to run the front of this defense.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
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The Senate map will likely get tougher for Democrats in future elections.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Airlines are struggling to keep up with costs, and customers are becoming more demanding.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
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Exercise and demanding activities should be done in the early morning and evening.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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These included funding more rigorous trials for therapies and improving communication devices.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
20 Mar. 2026
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For the next several hours—the film, though extraordinarily rigorous, is not bound by the strictures of real time—Kornev’s persistence will be met with deflections, delays, and excuses.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That’s really arduous work as a drummer.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
21 Mar. 2026
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Ships were forced to take the arduous and often more perilous trip around Cape Agulhas, the southern tip of Africa.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Ubers are typically available in-season, but may be harder to get during odd hours or bad weather.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
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The team is also developing a next-generation robotic hand to address swelling in harder-to-treat areas, expanding the potential of soft-robotic therapy beyond wearable sleeves.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Golden Horse Best Actors Wu Kang Ren and Tse Kwan Ho play the formidable Poon patriarch and son.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
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Last year’s Terrapins made a Sweet 16 run and lost to formidable South Carolina by just four points.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grueling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grueling. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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