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 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 But this one is the culmination of a grueling, nine-month rehab — which therefore occupied the bulk of Thursday’s questions. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grueling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grueling

Adjective

Finding people at high risk of incubating the Bundibugyo virus, also known as contact tracing, has proved difficult in Congo.

— CONSTANT SAME BAGALWA, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
McKinsey’s data says some of those moves can be difficult for certain workers.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

Until now, scientists could measure the total phosphorus preserved in ancient rocks, but determining the share that was actually available to marine life remained challenging.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Alas, its path appears quite challenging, given that Digger earned a C+ CinemaScore from audiences and holds a 51 percent approval from reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

— Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

With phones, keys, multi-tools, flashlights, water bottles and charging cables, the modern trouser and jacket pocket has a tough job coping.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026
Trump’s proclamation would have delayed compliance with the tougher standards from 2027 until 2029, though EPA ultimately repealed them in February.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

The conductors who oversee the recording of the movie scores are portrayed as hyper-demanding corporate perfectionists.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
Quantum computers could eventually solve very demanding computational problems much faster than regular computers.

— Sophya Garashchuk, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of demanding

Adjective

Operating-model transformation requires both strategic vision and rigorous accountability, and only finance leaders sit at the intersection of both.

— James Kavanaugh, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal finance and savings products.

— Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of rigorous

Adjective

The Washington is typically deployed to Pacific Ocean but it was moved to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, whose arduous deployment resulted in the crew being at sea for more than 260 days straight.

— Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Berger credited Berger and Ross for pushing the extra mile on the film, while his energy levels were low after an arduous months-long edit process.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of arduous

Adjective

Guests lingered over cocktails, lauding Ghesquière’s formidable creative prowess, personal warmth and loyalty.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2026
Let a Hundred Websites Bloom The Internet and the smartphone have become formidable tools for the Chinese government to maintain tight control over society.

— Conor Heffernan, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 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 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of grueling

adjective

Example Sentences

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