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
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Recent Examples of grueling
An entangled humpback whale was recently rescued off the coast of the U.K. following a grueling, multi-day operation, video footage shows.
—
Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2025
Isabella — who is now cancer-free — underwent multiple rounds of radiation, grueling chemotherapy and several surgeries.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
Saturday night, the Knicks faced their first test in what promises to be a grueling stretch of games.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025
Balazs decided to open up the Chateau’s nine residential cottages to firefighters who are on breaks from long and grueling shifts and union members from L.A.’s creative industries who were evacuated or lost their homes.
—Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for grueling 
Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2025
Isabella — who is now cancer-free — underwent multiple rounds of radiation, grueling chemotherapy and several surgeries.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
Saturday night, the Knicks faced their first test in what promises to be a grueling stretch of games.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025
Balazs decided to open up the Chateau’s nine residential cottages to firefighters who are on breaks from long and grueling shifts and union members from L.A.’s creative industries who were evacuated or lost their homes.
—Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for grueling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grueling
Adjective
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Nevertheless, the offer could make OpenAI’s reorganization plans more difficult – and significantly more expensive.—
David Goldman,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
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Those in reindeer herding who lost their fathers early, those who found love, and those faced with the difficult choice to fight or forgive.—
Annika Pham,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Shakira has had a challenging time since splitting from her ex Gerard Piqué.—
Ilana Kaplan,
People.com,
3 Feb. 2025
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But the alternative—growing real red blood cells outside the body—has proved even more challenging.—
Nicola Twilley,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But since his accident, Edwards has dedicated his life to exploration, already completing more physically demanding challenges than most do in a lifetime.—
Amy Woodyatt,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2025
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Best for Conservationists John Muir Way, Scotland Not to be confused with California’s more demanding John Muir Trail, the John Muir Way is a relatively new route (established around 10 years ago) that stretches coast to coast across Muir’s home country of Scotland.—
Megan Michelson,
Outside Online,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Carmen was months into the arduous process of getting her children, 12 and 15, here on Humanitarian Parole.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
The Mercury News,
9 Feb. 2025
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Here’s How Travelers Can Help Preservation Efforts With no roads, towns, or accommodation other than campsites, the reserve once mainly attracted die-hard campers and boaters accustomed to arduous sailing conditions.—
Justin Meneguzzi,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But fortunately for the Jayhawks, this game is at Allen Fieldhouse — a tough place for away teams to come and win games.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
3 Feb. 2025
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That included a couple of tough inside baskets while drawing fouls.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In today's digital age, companies are entrusted with vast amounts of personal data, and breaches like this demonstrate the need for rigorous security measures.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
4 Feb. 2025
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Every credit card story is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit products.—
Ryley Amond,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The site is surrounded by the remnants of a tall grass prairie that once covered millions of acres of Minnesota and the West.—
John Diers,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, the Ciel Dubai Marina — set to become the world’s tallest hotel — is scheduled to open this year.—
Karla Cripps,
CNN,
7 Feb. 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
Thesaurus Entries Near grueling
Cite this Entry
“Grueling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grueling. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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