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Synonyms

grueling

American  
[groo-uh-ling, groo-ling] / ˈgru ə lɪŋ, ˈgru lɪŋ /
especially British, gruelling

adjective

  1. exhausting; very tiring; arduously severe.

    the grueling Boston marathon.


noun

  1. any trying or exhausting procedure or experience.

Other Word Forms

  • gruelingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of grueling

First recorded in 1850–55; slang gruel “punishment” (noun), “to punish” (verb) + -ing 1, -ing 2

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.

Kane and the rest stayed with the ship and began preparations for another grueling winter.

From Literature

It meant slow, grueling work in a frozen mine.

From Literature

Known as an A-Team, they were among nearly 100 soldiers sent by North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies to participate in this three-week grueling winter warfare training.

From The Wall Street Journal

To get on the podium in figure skating, Nikita Volodin had to conquer the triple twist—and Germany’s grueling citizenship test.

From The Wall Street Journal

In Philadelphia: In “Rocky,” Sylvester Stallone’s character runs up the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s 72 steps as part of the boxer’s grueling training regimen.

From The Wall Street Journal