Synonyms of grueling

grueling

adjective

ˈgrü-ə-liŋ 

variants or gruelling

1

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort

running a marathon is grueling

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difficult
• challenging
• demanding
• tough
• rigorous
• tall
• hard
• arduous
• complicated
• strenuous
• formidable
• severe
• testing
• involved
• sweaty
• stressful
• heavy
• murderous
• backbreaking
• laborious
• painful
• exhausting
• serious
• exacting
• trying
• uphill
• annoying
• toilsome
• problematical
• problematic
• herculean
• effortful
• hairy
• killer
• intricate
• elusive
• hellacious
• rough
• rugged
• stiff
• complex
• oppressive
• pick-and-shovel
• moiling
• brutal
• tricky
• stubborn
• Augean
• onerous
• burdensome
• bruising
• abstract
• thorny
• troublesome
• abstruse
• labored
• insoluble
• recondite
• irksome
• tight
• strict
• knotty
• opaque
• stringent
• ticklish
• vexatious
• taxing
• spiny
• bothersome
• distressing
• grim
• cruel
• grievous
• inhuman

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• simple
• light
• effortless
• soft
• mindless
• undemanding
• cheap
• facile
• manageable
• elementary
• uncomplicated
• clear
• doable
• achievable
• smooth
• gentle
• painless
• soothing
• comforting
• relaxed
• friendly
• accessible
• user-friendly
• idiotproof

2

as in challenging

requiring much time, effort, or careful attention

cutting diamonds can be grueling work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• challenging
• difficult
• arduous
• tough
• laborious
• onerous
• burdensome
• hard
• demanding
• exacting
• toilsome
• killing
• strenuous
• taxing
• formidable
• testing
• persnickety
• oppressive
• rigorous
• rough
• herculean
• rugged
• stringent
• trying
• stiff
• severe
• strict
• rigid
• stern

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• light
• undemanding
• easy
• unchallenging
• simple
• smooth
• effortless
• nondemanding
• facile

Examples of grueling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The ban, which began in February and lasted for three grueling months, affected songs by everyone from Harry Styles to Elton John and Ice Spice — but most affected were the non-superstar artists, many of whom had invested significant time and money in promoting their music on the platform. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 9 Oct. 2024

The process of improving the outcome, while grueling, is worth the investment of energy and emotion. —Madeleine Parrish, The Arizona Republic, 8 Oct. 2024

Dutch rider Annemiek van Vleuten attacked on the second climb, then opened up a four-minute gap on the final push of the day, a grueling 3,163-foot ascent of the Grand Ballon. —Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 3 Oct. 2024

What was really fascinating about this, first of all, is that this was like a pretty grueling three day interview process for leaders. —Fortune Editors, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2024