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.
Film promotion isn’t for the weak—a press tour requires long, grueling days (often in faraway cities), endless obligations, and, as a result, innumerable outfit changes. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026 Bowe said Nolan-O’Slatarra's family has endured both unbearable heartbreak and a grueling, year-long wait for answers. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026 John Harbaugh ran the most grueling Giants practice in recent memory Thursday in the West Virginia humidity. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026 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 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 15 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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