gruelling
Translation
exhausting, tiring, demanding
Examples
It was a gruelling two-day hike.
It was a grueling two-day hike.
She completed a gruelling marathon.
She completed a grueling marathon.
Grammar Patterns
((grueling)) + noun used to describe a very tiring and difficult activity It was a grueling two-day hike.
Similar Words
Synonyms: exhausting, arduous, strenuous, punishing; Antonyms: easy, effortless, simple
Etymology
Present participle of the verb 'to gruel' (to punish severely, to exhaust), which is related to the noun 'gruel', perhaps from the idea of a punishment involving gruel.
Memory Tips
Imagine a task so hard it grinds you down, like being fueled only by 'gruel'. That task is 'grueling'.