variants
or gruelling
1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
running a marathon is grueling
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Since then, her days have followed a grueling but structured rhythm.
—
Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Alcaraz also had to come through a grueling five-setter.
—John Pye, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Examiners grill candidates in a grueling one-on-one oral test.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
But the official unveiling of the slate would further solidify just how grueling the climb could be for USC next season.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grueling
Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Alcaraz also had to come through a grueling five-setter.
—John Pye, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Examiners grill candidates in a grueling one-on-one oral test.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
But the official unveiling of the slate would further solidify just how grueling the climb could be for USC next season.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grueling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grueling
Adjective
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Training and case management through FRAP is supposed to help attorneys deal with what Clegg calls a difficult area of law.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
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Will this race and the other changes create an opportunity for NASCAR to turn the page on its difficult 2025?—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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There are more advanced, and challenging techniques, like slicing or chipping for more bulbs.—
Clarence Schmidt,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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This is not complicated or challenging music, and at times the chord progressions are simple enough to make one yearn for a bit more spikiness.—
Daniel Bromfield,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Most importantly, Alvarado relishes in his role as a tough-nosed, point-of-attack defender, an area the Knicks have had trouble despite building a roster with notable defenders across all positions.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
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With a durable and tough rubber sole featuring Vibram's TC5+ technology, each step offers the right amount of flex and resistance for a comfortable hiking experience.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The truth is, managing a game and operating within a system of offense are two of the most important things about excelling at the most demanding position in professional sports.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Turns out, von Allmen had the better inside track on the demanding hill.—
Pat Graham,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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These athletes spend their lives focusing on building physical strength through rigorous training and diets that are honed to provide the nutrients necessary to excel at their sport.—
Emily Hemendinger,
The Conversation,
13 Feb. 2026
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Every mortgage article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of financial products.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The few who did manage to pass through from Egypt described an arduous and exhausting journey.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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From there, audiences are thrust back to France in 1889, where Dracula sets about the arduous task of carving out a special niche in overly tired literary adaptation history.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The basic things — paying the electric bill, going to the doctor, keeping a roof over your head — get more expensive every day, while wages stay rock-bottom and jobs get harder and harder to find.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
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Temperatures in many parts of Texas remained below freezing for days, compounding stress on power plants, natural gas facilities, water systems and homes built for heat, not hard freezes.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Houston Chronicle,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Apple Pay and Cash App became formidable competitors.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
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The rout was on from there as Florida’s formidable frontcourt imposed its will, finishing with a 56-35 rebounding edge and a 20-point advantage in the paint.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grueling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grueling. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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