Grueling — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈgrü-ə-liŋ/ gru·el·ing

Meaning & Definition of Grueling

Grueling (adjective)

  1. trying or taxing to the point of exhaustion, punishing

Grueling (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. requiring considerable physical or mental effort

    "running a marathon is grueling"

    similar: arduous, Augean, backbreaking, challenging, demanding, difficult, effortful, exacting, formidable, hard, heavy, hellacious, herculean, killer, laborious, moiling, murderous, pick-and-shovel, rigorous, rough, rugged, severe, stiff, strenuous, sweaty, tall, testing, toilsome, tough, uphill
    related: abstract, abstruse, complex, complicated, elusive, hairy, insoluble, intricate, involved, knotty, opaque, problematic, recondite, serious, spiny, stubborn, thorny, ticklish, tricky, bruising, burdensome, exhausting, labored, onerous, oppressive, stressful, taxing, tight, trying, annoying, bothersome, distressing, irksome, troublesome, vexatious, grievous, grim, strict, stringent, brutal, cruel, inhuman, painful
    opposite: cheap, easy, effortless, facile, light, mindless, simple, soft, undemanding
    near: achievable, clear, doable, elementary, manageable, uncomplicated, comforting, gentle, painless, relaxed, smooth, soothing, accessible, friendly, idiotproof, user-friendly

  2. requiring much time, effort, or careful attention

    "cutting diamonds can be grueling work"

    similar: arduous, burdensome, challenging, demanding, exacting, killing, laborious, onerous, persnickety, taxing, toilsome
    related: difficult, formidable, hard, herculean, rough, rugged, stiff, strenuous, testing, tough, oppressive, trying, rigid, rigorous, severe, stern, strict, stringent
    opposite: light, nondemanding, unchallenging, undemanding
    near: easy, effortless, facile, simple, smooth

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Grueling

The most common words with a similar meaning to Grueling:

arduous, Augean, backbreaking, challenging, demanding, difficult, effortful, exacting, formidable, hard, heavy, hellacious, herculean, killer, laborious, moiling, murderous, pick-and-shovel, rigorous, rough, rugged, severe, stiff, strenuous, sweaty, tall, testing, toilsome, tough, uphill, burdensome, killing, onerous, persnickety, taxing

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Grueling

Words with the opposite meaning of Grueling:

cheap, easy, effortless, facile, light, mindless, simple, soft, undemanding, nondemanding, unchallenging

Related Words for Grueling

abstract, abstruse, complex, complicated, elusive, hairy, insoluble, intricate, involved, knotty, opaque, problematic, recondite, serious, spiny, stubborn, thorny, ticklish, tricky, bruising, exhausting, labored, oppressive, stressful, tight, trying, annoying, bothersome, distressing, irksome

Near Antonyms of Grueling

achievable, clear, doable, elementary, manageable, uncomplicated, comforting, gentle, painless, relaxed, smooth, soothing, accessible, friendly, idiotproof, user-friendly

Word Forms of Grueling

Derived words: gruelingly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Grueling

from present participle of obsolete gruel to exhaust, punish, from gruel, noun

First known use: 1852

Frequently Asked Questions about Grueling

What does "Grueling" mean?

"Grueling" means trying or taxing to the point of exhaustion, punishing. As an adjective, it is defined as: trying or taxing to the point of exhaustion, punishing. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Grueling"?

Other words for "Grueling" include arduous, Augean, backbreaking, challenging, demanding, difficult, effortful and exacting. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Grueling" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Grueling"?

There are 77 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Grueling". Common alternatives include arduous, Augean, backbreaking, challenging, demanding, difficult, effortful, exacting, formidable and hard.

What is the opposite of "Grueling"?

Antonyms of "Grueling" include cheap, easy, effortless, facile, light, mindless, simple and soft. Near antonyms include achievable, clear, doable and elementary.

How do you use "Grueling" in a sentence?

Examples of "Grueling" in a sentence: "running a marathon is grueling"; "cutting diamonds can be grueling work".

Is "Grueling" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Grueling" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Grueling"?

"Grueling" is pronounced /ˈgrü-ə-liŋ/ and divided into syllables as gru·el·ing.

What is the origin of the word "Grueling"?

"Grueling" comes from from present participle of obsolete gruel to exhaust, punish, from gruel, noun. First known use: 1852.