grueling

[groo-uh-ling, groo-ling] / ˈgru ə lɪŋ, ˈgru lɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

difficult, taxing

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arduous backbreaking brutal demanding excruciating exhausting fierce laborious punishing strenuous tiring torturous trying

WEAK

chastening crushing fatiguing grinding hairy hard harsh heavy racking severe stiff

Antonyms

STRONGEST

easy effortless facile gentle kind trivial

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After she emerged from a grueling two-week stint in the hospital, I told her that she looked beautiful despite everything.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

One morning in April, a bleary-eyed Michelle plopped into bed fully clothed after completing her grueling 11 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. shift.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

Enacting change at the federal level has been a grueling process.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

But it’d be fun, not too physically grueling.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

In the face of hateful prejudice and grueling work, the Irish immigrants maintained hope for the future.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield

Vocabulary lists containing grueling

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