gruelling
Britishadjective
noun
Etymology
Origin of gruelling
C19: from now obsolete vb gruel to exhaust, punish
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
South Korea's notoriously gruelling college entry exam, known as the "Suneung", is essential for admission to top universities and widely regarded as a gateway to economic security and even a good marriage.
From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026
The Prince and Princess of Wales were in Wakefield in West Yorkshire last month to see for themselves just how gruelling the seven ultramarathon challenge was.
From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026
It is so gruelling that its Asia tournament in Hong Kong was billed as "physical hell", with player Leo Lines admitting that "anyone that's got the puck" is going through "some level of suffering".
From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026
He was left in tears following a gruelling first-round loss at the US Open and spoke about struggling with a "serious health condition" that particularly bothered him in oppressive conditions.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
As soon as this happened, they cheerfully abandoned the gruelling, dangerous, and often spartan life of hunter-gatherers, settling down to enjoy the pleasant, satiated life of farmers.
From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari
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