# grueling

/ˈɡɹuɪɫɪŋ/ (US) · /ɡɹˈuːəlɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grueling
Updated: 2026-05-31

## Definition

extremely tiring and difficult. You use this to describe a task or journey that takes a lot of effort and leaves you feeling exhausted.

For teachers: extremely demanding and exhausting. Often describes physical or mental tasks that require intense effort over a long period.

## Examples

- The runners finished a grueling race in the heat.
- After a grueling ten-hour shift at the hospital, the nurse was too tired to even cook dinner.
- The legal team endured a grueling month of discovery, reviewing thousands of documents daily to meet the court's strict deadline for the upcoming trial.

## Usage notes

- Commonly modifies nouns related to physical effort like 'schedule', 'workout', 'race', or 'journey'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.