gruelling: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal and informal (primarily descriptive/figurative, not technical)
Quick answer
What does “gruelling” mean?
Extremely tiring and demanding, requiring great effort and endurance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Extremely tiring and demanding, requiring great effort and endurance.
Describing an activity, period, or experience that is physically, mentally, or emotionally exhausting due to its intensity, length, or difficulty.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English: Standard spelling is 'gruelling'. American English: Standard spelling is 'grueling' (single 'l'). No difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties: strongly negative in describing the experience, but can have a neutral or slightly positive connotation when assessing the value of such an experience (e.g., a gruelling but necessary training).
Frequency
Equally common and natural in both varieties for the described contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “gruelling” in a Sentence
It is/was gruelling (to do something)Subject (activity) is/was gruellingFind something gruellingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gruelling” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The tour involved a gruelling ten-city schedule in just twelve days.
- She found the mountain trek particularly gruelling in the rain.
American English
- The team endured a grueling cross-country flight followed by practice.
- It was a grueling legal battle that lasted for years.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Describing an intense work schedule or a demanding project deadline.
Academic
Describing a rigorous course of study or a demanding research process.
Everyday
Describing a very tiring day, journey, or physical activity.
Technical
Rare in highly technical contexts; more common in sports science, military training descriptions.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gruelling”
- Misspelling: 'grueling' in UK English or 'gruelling' in US English (follow local convention).
- Using it for minor difficulties: 'The homework was gruelling' (overstatement unless exceptionally demanding).
- Confusing pronunciation: /ˈɡrʊəlɪŋ/ is incorrect; it's /ˈɡruːəlɪŋ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can describe anything extremely demanding, including mental, emotional, or scheduling challenges (e.g., a gruelling exam, a gruelling court case).
'Gruelling' emphasizes the harsh, severe, and punishing nature of the effort. 'Exhausting' focuses more on the resulting state of being drained. They are often interchangeable, but 'gruelling' is stronger.
In American English, the standard spelling is 'grueling' with one 'l'. British English uses 'gruelling' with two 'l's.
The experience itself is negative, but the outcome can be viewed positively (e.g., "The gruelling training was worth it for the gold medal"). It often implies a worthy challenge.
Extremely tiring and demanding, requiring great effort and endurance.
Gruelling is usually formal and informal (primarily descriptive/figurative, not technical) in register.
Gruelling: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡruːəlɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡruəlɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A gruelling marathon (used figuratively for any long, difficult task)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GRUELLING task making you feel like you've been put through a GRUEL mill – something harsh and punishing.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIFFICULTY IS PHYSICAL BURDEN / PAIN (e.g., a crushing schedule, a punishing regimen).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'gruelling' correctly?