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adj C1 Advanced

gruelling

GROOR-lihng

Gruelling (adj) means Extremely demanding, exhausting, or difficult to endure. Example: “She completed a gruelling marathon through the mountains.”

adj
1
Extremely demanding, exhausting, or difficult to endure.
"She completed a gruelling marathon through the mountains."
"It was a gruelling week of back-to-back exams."

How to use gruelling

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPhysically or mentally punishing and exhausting.

UK vs US

British English spells it "gruelling"; American English usually drops one L to "grueling."

Common pairings
a gruelling schedule gruelling training

Word forms

more gruelling comparative, gruellings plural, most gruelling superlative

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She completed a _____ marathon through the mountains.

Etymology

From the verb gruel, meaning to exhaust or punish, itself derived from the noun gruel.

Rhymes for gruelling

See all rhymes for gruelling →

Frequently asked questions

What does “gruelling” mean?

The word “gruelling” means extremely demanding, exhausting, or difficult to endure. In plain terms, physically or mentally punishing and exhausting.

How do you pronounce “gruelling”?

“Gruelling” is pronounced GROOR-lihng (/ˈɡɹu.lɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “gruelling” in a sentence?

Here is “gruelling” used in a sentence: “She completed a gruelling marathon through the mountains.”

What part of speech is “gruelling”?

“Gruelling” is an adjective.

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