grueling
What does "grueling" mean?
Grueling describes an activity that is extremely tiring and demanding, often to the point of exhaustion. Imagine a long, uphill hike in the blistering heat where every step feels like a monumental effort; that sense of physical or mental depletion is the essence of this word. It is most commonly used to describe tasks, training, or schedules that require significant endurance. While it implies hard work, it specifically highlights the punishing, draining nature of the experience rather than just the difficulty itself. You will often hear it paired with nouns like "schedule," "workout," or "journey."
"grueling" in conversation
Post-marathon chat
I honestly thought I was going to collapse at mile twenty.
I honestly thought I was going to collapse at mile twenty.
That course is notoriously grueling, but you crushed it!
That course is notoriously grueling, but you crushed it!
Used to validate someone's struggle after a physical feat.
Work colleague talk
How was your week? You look exhausted.
How was your week? You look exhausted.
It was a grueling series of back-to-back meetings.
It was a grueling series of back-to-back meetings.
Used to describe a mentally draining professional schedule.
"grueling" in a sentence
The athletes finished their grueling workout.
The athletes finished their grueling workout.
She survived a grueling twelve-hour shift at the hospital.
She survived a grueling twelve-hour shift at the hospital.
The team faced a grueling negotiation process that lasted for several months.
The team faced a grueling negotiation process that lasted for several months.
