grueling

adjective

gru·​el·​ing ˈgrü-ə-liŋ How to pronounce grueling (audio)
variants or gruelling
Synonyms of grueling
: trying or taxing to the point of exhaustion : punishing
a grueling race
a grueling schedule
gruelingly
ˈgrü-ə-liŋ-lē How to pronounce grueling (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of grueling

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Examples of grueling in a Sentence

running a marathon is grueling cutting diamonds can be grueling work
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
He's also set an age record on the Grand Canyon's grueling rim-to-rim-to-rim route. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 After a grueling five-week trial, the Massachusetts jury attempting to determine whether Lindsay Clancy is criminally responsible for killing her three children is deadlocked. — Jennifer Adaeze Okwerekwu, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026 Over the course of a grueling four-hour, 36-minute first-round loss at Arthur Ashe Stadium late Sunday night, 39-year-old Novak Djokovic battled not only a gritty opponent in unseeded Mariano Navone but his own body. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026 Facing reporters and what is likely a grueling year-long recovery process, Giants pitcher Carson Whisenhunt projected an optimistic attitude despite staring down the possibility of UCL surgery, commonly known as Tommy John surgery. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grueling

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of obsolete gruel to exhaust, punish, from gruel, noun

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of grueling was in 1852

Rhymes for grueling

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Browse Nearby Words

gruel
grueling
gruelly
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Cite this Entry

“Grueling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grueling. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

grueling

adjective
gru·​el·​ing
variants or gruelling
ˈgrü-ə-liŋ How to pronounce grueling (audio)
: requiring extreme effort : exhausting
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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