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

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 That was the most grueling minute or two or three in my life. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026 And that is why every game, as grueling as the 82-game season can be, likely will matter for the Heat this season. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026 There’s also Will Warren, who has pitched well of late, and Clarke Schmidt, who was activated off the IL on Wednesday after a grueling recovery from Tommy John surgery. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026 There were days during the New York Giants’ grueling training camp this summer that even left tackle Andrew Thomas, who has impeccable football character, was worn down. — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 15 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
  • Performances across the board are strong, even if the characterizations themselves are more difficult to embrace.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Making short-haul rail more competitive Parallel argues that its system could open routes that are currently difficult for conventional rail services to serve economically, particularly journeys under 500 miles.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • Disappointingly, her screenplay proceeds to unfold in a procession of frustrating get-outs and compromises, repeatedly choosing the least interesting or challenging direction to take this would-be throuple.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Oscar-winning DoP Greig Fraser knows a thing or two about working on challenging movies, from Dune to The Batman, Rogue One to Zero Dark Thirty.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of challenging
Adjective
  • Celebrity hairstylist Brian Magallones considers this the perfect balance between a not-too-fussy and not-too-structured chignon, a style that sounds tough to style without a professional team but is actually quite easy to master at-home.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Coming off that dominant performance against the Yankees, Rasmussen went six-plus tough innings.
    — Rob Maaddi, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • The researchers plan to continue improving the system and evaluate it on more demanding manipulation tasks.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In civil denaturalization cases, the government generally must prove its case in federal court with clear, unequivocal and convincing evidence, a demanding standard that reflects the importance of citizenship and the consequences of revoking it.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of demanding
Adjective
  • The list takes months to compile, with multiple steps and checks designed to ensure the ranking is rigorous and consistent.
    — Kelli Grant, CFP®,Riley de León, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • With rigorous reporting and more than 150 interviews with those working for the US’ most influential AI companies, technology journalist Roose covers Silicon Valley’s breakneck race to build artificial general intelligence.
    — Mary Lawrence Ware, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of rigorous
Adjective
  • The Lincoln is the second carrier that has endured an unusually long and arduous deployment to support the war against Iran and the second to receive the top unit award afterward.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The organization shared a glimpse into the arduous recovery mission on social media.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of arduous
Adjective
  • Two innings later, the Dodgers took the lead again, rewarded for hard contact as the Brewers’ defense showed its first signs of sloppy play.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Games Can’t Gamble on Talent Opportunities to develop emerging talent are becoming harder to find, particularly in video games, van Beek said.
    — Callum McLennan, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of hard
Adjective
  • Community supporter and legal advocate Over decades in South Florida, Klock earned a reputation as a formidable advocate, a mentor to younger lawyers and a steadfast supporter of the community.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The original recipe was two parts apple brandy to one part each of the liqueurs, giving this cocktail a quotient of sweetness that even its formidable alcohol content can’t quite tame.
    — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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