grueling

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'grueling' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is an adjective that describes an experience that is excessively difficult or demanding. For example: "The grueling exam lasted for almost four hours, and I was exhausted afterwards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Another made an injury a point of pride: "I danced hard with a sprained ankle, on a sprain!" Because ballet is such a physically grueling sport, and injury such a common occurrence, it is itself almost a mark of dedication and commitment.

The New Yorker

Physicians for centuries have sought a way to cure this epistemologically mystifying pain (how do you feel pain in an appendage that's not there?), but the best, least invasive method turns out to be Ramachandran's magician-like illusion which uses no drugs, scalpels, or grueling physiotherapy — just a few minutes a day with a five-dollar, dime-store mirror.

The New Yorker

Two and a half years of grueling politics left very few of them with the sense that anything had been accomplished, through all the tear gas and sleepless nights, other than perhaps the construction of new rhetoric from the elite and a crummier economy.

The New Yorker

Rather than report at a distance, you perform grueling crew duties to earn your keep.

The New Yorker

As if in compensation for their grueling journey, the sailors appeared to have gained 24 hours on the rest of the world.

The New Yorker

One day in 2012, after two weeks of grueling non-stop reporting, I grudgingly agreed to get up at four-thirty in the morning for a walk and breakfast with Ibrahim.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Throughout her life, Susan Sontag filled her journals with lists of vocabulary ("integument," "snap brim fedora," "gruel," "persiflage") that she encountered in her reading and… Half a century has passed since the Life World Library was launched, in 1961.

The New Yorker

Throughout her life, Susan Sontag filled her journals with lists of vocabulary ("integument," "snap brim fedora," "gruel," "persiflage") that she encountered in her reading and travels.

The New Yorker

By Benjamin Moser January 30 , 2014Throughout her life, Susan Sontag filled her journals with lists of vocabulary ("integument," "snap brim fedora," "gruel," "persiflage") that she encountered in her reading and travels.

The New Yorker

Indeed, Welles's opening shot pulls us into the cauldron, down to bubble level, to see what is forged in the clayey gruel: an image of such primitive horror, like a creation myth gone bad, that it makes Kurzel's prelude, set on a battlefield and glutinous with gore, seem a touch ordinary by contrast.

The New Yorker

And so before eating his meagre ration of watery gruel he would masturbate until his palm bled.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grueling" to effectively convey the extreme difficulty and demanding nature of a task or experience. It adds emphasis and impact to your writing.

Common error

While "grueling" is a strong word, avoid using it in overly casual or informal settings. Opt for alternatives like "tough" or "hard" to maintain a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "grueling" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe activities, tasks, or experiences that are exceptionally difficult, exhausting, and demanding. As seen in Ludwig, "grueling" is used to intensify the description of a noun, emphasizing its challenging nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grueling" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective, primarily within news and media contexts. According to Ludwig, it describes something extremely difficult or exhausting. When writing, remember to use "grueling" to add emphasis to particularly demanding or challenging tasks, and avoid overusing it in overly casual or informal contexts. Alternatives like "arduous", "strenuous", or "taxing" can also be used to express similar levels of difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arduous

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved.

strenuous

Focuses on the physical exertion required.

taxing

Highlights the depleting effect on one's resources or energy.

exhausting

Directly points to the state of fatigue caused.

demanding

Stresses the high requirements and expectations.

challenging

Indicates that the task requires significant effort and skill to overcome obstacles.

difficult

A general term for something not easy to accomplish or deal with.

laborious

Highlights the amount of hard work involved.

trying

Suggests that the experience tests one's patience or endurance.

punishing

Implies severe hardship or strain.

FAQs

How can I use "grueling" in a sentence?

"Grueling" is an adjective that describes something extremely difficult or exhausting. For example, "The marathon was a "grueling" race."

What words can I use instead of "grueling"?

You can use alternatives such as "arduous", "strenuous", or "taxing" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a grueling task"?

Yes, "a grueling task" is a correct and common usage. It effectively conveys that the task is exceptionally difficult and demanding.

What's the difference between "grueling" and "difficult"?

"Grueling" implies a higher degree of difficulty and exhaustion than "difficult". While "difficult" simply means not easy, "grueling" suggests an experience that is physically or mentally exhausting and extremely demanding. /s/demanding