GRUELLING 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

Relevance

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 Just be mindful not to let an easy nature walk turn into a grueling hike, or an hour in the garden into an entire day of heavy landscaping. — Jenessa Connor, Health, 15 July 2026 The grueling days didn’t relent when the production moved ashore. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 July 2026 Haaland, known for his love of designer bags, also carried a white and maroon Dolce & Gabbana bag as disembarked from the plane after six grueling weeks of World Cup competition. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026 The Evil Dead endured a famously grueling shoot that lasted over a year due to a tiny budget, difficult living conditions, and ambitious (and relentless) practical effects. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for grueling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grueling

Adjective

For a long time, we’ve all been told that remastering the older Super Robot Wars games was extremely difficult, due to all the licensing and other costs involved.

— Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
After three difficult years, armed groups loyal to Tehran appear to be bouncing back across the Middle East, reinforcing Iran’s leverage in its war with the US and Israel.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

Even during a challenging season, Stanek continued to showcase one of baseball's hardest fastballs with a plus slider, splitter and sweeper.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
There’s also 20-year-old Connor Zilisch, who’s had a challenging rookie season but is still one of the most prized young drivers to ever join the Cup Series.

— Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

The city's local Democratic lawmakers claim that the tough-on-crime policies only temporarily reduced crime while troop presence was at its peak.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Lopez and multiple bullpen arms got out of tough jams to limit the Red Sox 16 baserunners across the first nine innings to just two runs, only one earned.

— Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

That is a demanding position to hold, and most organizations have built conditions that make holding it harder every year.

— Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
At the 2024 Monterey Historic races, he was seen driving the 250 P aggressively around the demanding Laguna Seca track.

— Howard Walker, Robb Report, 31 July 2026

Definition of demanding

Adjective

Academy leaders have repeatedly told Congress that rigorous scholarship, civilian faculty expertise and exposure to complex questions help prepare officers for the uncertainty of modern warfare.

— James LaPorta, CBS News, 31 July 2026
The progress marks the transition from years of design, research, and technology demonstrations to the construction of physical aircraft that will undergo rigorous testing before entering operational service.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026

Definition of rigorous

Adjective

That meant one endless season after another, flowing into compressed offseasons, disadvantageous end-of-round draft statures and the ever-arduous schedule that the NFL formula assigns division winners.

— Vahe Gregorian July 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Chinese laborer contributions Laying the rails required grueling and arduous manual work, and much of it was done by Chinese laborers.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of arduous

Adjective

Loyalty programs can become harder to understand when members are confronted with dozens of offers that have little connection to the brand’s identity.

— Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Miami’s roster Saturday was depleted as German Berterame is out on concussion protocol after a hard hit against Montreal that resulted in him exiting the field in an ambulance.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of hard

Adjective

Anyone in the bout would make a formidable champion, but given Flair’s lengthy history with Ripley, that is the most high-profile unification bout WWE could possibly do down the road.

— Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
The episode reveals the formidable powers available to a president to target his enemies.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 July 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 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of grueling

adjective

Example Sentences

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