variants
or gruelling
1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
running a marathon is grueling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
cutting diamonds can be grueling work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of grueling
Burnet County Chief Deputy Alan Trevino also interviewed on CNN, described the grueling conditions facing first responders, with teams dropped by helicopter into remote areas and cadaver dogs deployed by boat.
—
Amanda Castro
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
The famed Pacific Crest Trail (the West Coast's grueling, 2,653-mile-long answer to the Appalachian Trail) also passes nearby on its way up to the Canadian border.
—Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025
This year, the Tour stays entirely in France and features a grueling but stunning ride through the Pyrenees and the Alps.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 4 July 2025
Lionel Messi and his teammates now shift gears back to MLS league play and a grueling July schedule, which includes the start of the Leagues Cup at the end of the month.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for grueling
Amanda Castro
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
The famed Pacific Crest Trail (the West Coast's grueling, 2,653-mile-long answer to the Appalachian Trail) also passes nearby on its way up to the Canadian border.
—Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025
This year, the Tour stays entirely in France and features a grueling but stunning ride through the Pyrenees and the Alps.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 4 July 2025
Lionel Messi and his teammates now shift gears back to MLS league play and a grueling July schedule, which includes the start of the Leagues Cup at the end of the month.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for grueling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grueling
Adjective
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Speaking with director Joe Johnston, Oka explained the two most difficult things to simulate digitally at the time were human skin and water.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
15 July 2025
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They are often considered the most beautiful irises but can be difficult to grow.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
The producer said getting his hands on an original copy of the Carter song on LP proved challenging, and expensive, signaling a cult following for such music.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
9 July 2025
-
Gap Easy Trousers Finding summer work pants that are both breathable and stylish can be challenging, but these petite Easy Trousers from Gap fit the bill perfectly.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Once upon a time, the leadership style of a college coach was simple: intense, demanding, rigid, focused on detail and motivating with more stick than carrot.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
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These jobs are highly demanding, but they are considered part-time under the city charter.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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The mission proved to be much more arduous than expected for her and her small crew of four, all of whom are first tour aviators.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
11 July 2025
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And this is going to be long, arduous work to find all the remains.—
Obed Manuel,
NPR,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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The tough part is deciding between a leather sofa or a plush number made with performance fabric.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
9 July 2025
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With one out, however, Ohtani was thrown at the plate trying to score from third on Pages’ chopper up the line — making an aggressive, but proper, read in a game in which the Dodgers had long before conceded that runs would be tough to come by.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
The Freeform rolling carry-on was deemed the Best Overall Carry-on by Travel + Leisure after rounds of rigorous testing at our New York City lab.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
11 July 2025
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Before a potential controller can even step foot in the academy, there’s a rigorous application and qualification process.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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For new infill apartments to skip CEQA review, the law requires union-level wages for projects with 100% affordable units, and some union hiring for projects that are taller than 85 feet.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
13 July 2025
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These small microscopic mites thrive in moist, shady areas and tall grass.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
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Whether those numbers are an overstatement, or possibly an understatement, is hard to say.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Grueling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grueling. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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