5
hideous(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, afraid)
5
horrid(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, afraid)
5
irksome(adjective, severe, difficult, harsh, heavy)
5
onerous(adjective, hard, tough, difficult, heavy)
5
parlous(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, afraid)
5
scathing(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, afraid)
5
spine-chilling(adjective, awful, terrible, horrible, afraid)
5
straining
5
very bad(adjective, bad, awful, terrible, disgusting)
5
wearing(adjective, difficult, awkward, demanding, trying)
5
wrenching(adjective, painful)
5
wretched(adjective, bad, awful, terrible, disgusting)
4
operose(adjective, hard, tough, difficult, awkward)
4
punishing(verb, adjective)
4
burdensome(adjective, hard, tough, severe, difficult)
4
excruciating(adjective, painful)
4
agonizing(adjective, painful)
4
besetting(adjective, painful)
4
crushing(adjective, painful)
4
oppressive(adjective, painful)
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APASmart Define. (2015). grueling thesaurus. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/grueling/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "grueling thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/grueling/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 24, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, grueling thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 24 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/grueling/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "grueling thesaurus" 10 April 2015. Web. 24 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/grueling/thesaurus/synonyms>