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 Queen, who will be 80 next July, is known to find the pace and hot conditions of some royal tours gruelling.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
The rugby star's gruelling mission will end on Saturday at Old Trafford in Manchester, when Sir Kevin arrives ahead of the Super League Grand Final.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
The 28-year-old put his hands on his head in disbelief as he crossed the line 13 seconds clear of the chasing pack, completing the gruelling 273.4km course in six hours and 17 minutes.
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 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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