grueling

adjective

gru·​el·​ing ˈgrü-ə-liŋ How to pronounce grueling (audio)
variants or gruelling
: trying or taxing to the point of exhaustion : punishing
a grueling race
gruelingly adverb

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.
Read’s unusually successful sailing history includes winning more than 60 world and national championships, skippering three America’s Cup teams, and leading multiple grueling round-the-world Volvo Ocean Races. The Editors, Robb Report, 8 June 2025 Many are recovering from injuries or taking a break following the grueling season in Europe. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 June 2025 The fastest paddlers can cross the finish line in less than two days, but most racers have several grueling nights and days ahead of them. Morgan O'Hanlon, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025 His grueling 10-year NBA career in the days of floppy shoes, hard hotel mattresses and unrelenting travel left Block’s body battered. Noah Perkins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grueling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grueling. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

grueling

adjective
gru·​el·​ing
variants or gruelling
: requiring extreme effort : exhausting

More from Merriam-Webster on grueling

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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