grueling
Punishingly hard work
Grueling describes something extremely demanding and exhausting, typically requiring sustained effort over time: a grueling marathon, a grueling work schedule, grueling negotiations that lasted through the night.
The word suggests not just difficulty but the wearing down of physical or mental reserves.
Also spelled gruelling in British English.
Requiring considerable effort
- strenuousRequiring intense exertion
- taxingRequiring great effort
- backbreakingExtremely physically demanding
- demandingRequiring great effort
tough · onerous · punishing · rigorous · formidable · burdensome · grinding · relentless
Causing weariness or exhaustion
- drainingDepleting one's reserves
- depletingProgressively using up
- wearingHaving clothing on
- tiringCausing fatigue
sapping · enervating · debilitating · wearying · crushing · overwhelming · withering · soul-crushing
Across great distances
- ultramarathonRace longer than 26.2 miles
- triathlonThree-event endurance contest
- ironmanLong-distance triathlon competitor
- slogLaborious persistent effort
Capacity for sustained effort
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
grit · determination · toughness · willpower · persistence · steadfastness · survival · hardiness
laborious
Requiring considerable effort
- strenuousRequiring intense exertion
- taxingRequiring great effort
- backbreakingExtremely physically demanding
demanding · tough · onerous · punishing · rigorous · formidable · burdensome · grinding · relentless · toil
fatiguing
Causing weariness or exhaustion
tiring · sapping · enervating · debilitating · wearying · crushing · overwhelming · withering · soul-crushing · burnout
long-distance
Across great distances
- ultramarathonRace longer than 26.2 miles
- triathlonThree-event endurance contest
- ironmanLong-distance triathlon competitor
stamina
Capacity for sustained effort
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
tenacity · grit · determination · toughness · willpower · persistence · steadfastness · survival · hardiness
- adjectivesbig, urgent, amazing, temporary, bold
- difficultyeasy, hard, medium, difficult, moderate
- exhaustingdraining, taxing, tiring, exhausting, fatiguing
- Work Intensitybusy, demanding, heavy, intense, exhausting
- challengeschallenge, difficult, hard, challenging, tough
- competition typesfierce, intense, cutthroat, heated, friendly
gruelingeasy
Requiring minimal effort
effortless · simple · undemanding · light · unchallenging