gruelling

USAGE SUMMARY

'gruelling' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a task or activity that is tiring, difficult or exhausting. For example, "The gruelling hike up the mountain was worth it for the breathtaking view from the summit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The work on such trawlers is gruelling and often tires the men, adding to the risk factor, Kovalchuk said.

The Guardian

All of which is fine, as long as the constituent parties understand and accept this transfer of power and are prepared for five years of gruelling parliamentary negotiation over absolutely everything.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was taking part in the toughest physical challenge he'd ever faced with his son Nick and Nick's partner Yevgeniya – an experience he described as "gruelling" but which left him with no regrets.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His ministers were forced to perform a gruelling annual "walk of health" through the capital.

The Guardian

Both promised to do their best to match the intensity and drama of the gruelling 1984 encounter that was controversially called to a halt without a clear winner after five months of play.

The Guardian - Sport

Although no stranger to traveling in far-off countries, McPhee described the journey as "gruelling".

The Guardian

Haneke's picture is gruelling, moving and finally transcendent.

The Guardian - Film

Do you know what it means to go for 60 days under constant gruelling by Hezbollah?

The Guardian

Even in the city electorate visits are gruelling.

The Guardian

It's by far the most rewarding and incredible part of the job but, I'll be honest, it's also pretty gruelling.

The Guardian

After a few months of gruelling silence, he finally wrote back.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gruelling" to describe tasks or experiences that are not just difficult, but also prolonged and exhausting, emphasizing the toll they take on one's physical and mental resources.

Common error

Avoid using "gruelling" for situations that are merely challenging or inconvenient. Reserve it for truly exhausting and demanding experiences to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "gruelling" primarily functions to modify nouns, describing them as extremely tiring and demanding. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it accurately conveys a sense of intense effort and exhaustion in the described task or experience. The examples show its use with words like "work", "negotiation", and "journey".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gruelling" is a versatile adjective used to describe something extremely tiring and demanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, but is also common in formal and business contexts. When writing, reserve "gruelling" for truly exhausting situations to maintain its impact, as overuse can diminish its effectiveness. Related terms include "arduous" and "exhausting", each with slightly different connotations. Its high usage frequency and authoritative source support indicate its strong validity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arduous

Similar in meaning but often implies a long and difficult journey or task.

exhausting

Focuses more on the depletion of energy as a result of the difficulty.

taxing

Highlights the demanding nature of the task, emphasizing mental or emotional strain.

strenuous

Implies a need for great physical exertion and effort.

laborious

Emphasizes the amount of hard work and effort required.

backbreaking

Focuses on the physically demanding and painful aspects.

punishing

Suggests a harsh and difficult experience, often with negative consequences.

demanding

Highlights the high expectations and requirements of the task.

trying

Emphasizes the frustrating and testing aspects of the experience.

difficult

A more general term for something that requires effort and skill.

FAQs

How can I use "gruelling" in a sentence?

Use "gruelling" to describe something extremely tiring and demanding. For example, "The marathon was a "gruelling" test of endurance."

What are some synonyms for "gruelling"?

Alternatives to "gruelling" include "arduous", "exhausting", and "strenuous", each carrying a similar connotation of difficulty and fatigue.

Is it appropriate to use "gruelling" in formal writing?

Yes, "gruelling" is suitable for formal writing. It's a well-understood and widely accepted term to describe extremely difficult or tiring situations.

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

"Difficult" describes something that requires effort or skill, whereas "gruelling" implies a more intense level of difficulty that is also exhausting and prolonged. A task can be difficult without being "gruelling".