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.
The smoothing and plumping fan-favorite masks have (literally) uplifted me on groggy mornings, amid grueling hangovers, and during spa nights with my best friends. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026 Marshall’s victory sets the stage for a potentially grueling race ahead of the November election. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026 Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget director is leaving, the latest shakeup of his administration’s finance team ahead of what is sure to be a grueling budget season. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026 Even as Riley took jab after jab for running away from one of college football’s most prestigious rivalries, the coach remained steadfast in noting the inequity in their schedules, with USC facing Notre Dame amid a grueling Big Ten schedule. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 3 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 8 Aug. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on grueling

Nglish: Translation of grueling for Spanish Speakers

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