Gruelling Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Sports

• Endurance races like marathons or Ironman triathlons are often described as gruelling due to the extensive training and physical limits they push.
• The Tour de France is not only a display of cyclist skill but also a gruelling test of stamina, lasting over three weeks with demanding daily rides.
• Athletes often undergo gruelling training regimens that can include intense weightlifting, long runs, and skill drills for several hours a day.

Psychological Perspective

• Gruelling tasks can lead to both physical and mental fatigue, which scientists have shown can affect decision-making abilities.
• Research indicates that people often perform better after a gruelling challenge due to increased determination and focus.
• Experiencing a gruelling situation can foster resilience, allowing individuals to handle stress better in the future.

Literature

• In literary works, characters often undergo gruelling challenges that test their resolve, leading to significant growth and transformation.
• Many classic adventure stories depict gruelling journeys, symbolizing both the physical and internal struggles of the heroes.
• The concept of a gruelling quest is prevalent in genres like fantasy, where protagonists face overwhelming odds that challenge their spirit.

Cultural References

• In pop culture, reality TV shows often feature gruelling competitions that showcase endurance, like Survivor and The Amazing Race.
• Movies often depict montage sequences that include gruelling training before the protagonist achieves their goal, such as in sports dramas.
• Music sometimes touches on themes of personal struggle and the gruelling nature of life, reflecting experiences of perseverance.

Main points about word origin

• The word 'gruelling' comes from the verb 'gruel', meaning to struggle or make weary, which itself relates to a thin porridge that was considered tough to eat.
• Initially used in the 1920s, 'gruelling' has roots in the concept of hard labor that saps one’s energy and strength.
• The term appears in British English, often associated with strenuous activities like sports and physical challenges.

The word 'gruelling' originally derives from the verb 'gruel,' which means to exhaust or tire through hard work. The term 'gruel' itself can be traced back to the Middle English 'gruuele,' meaning a thin flour or meal preparation, which metaphorically signifies a sustenance that one works hard for just to endure. The suffix '-ing' added to create 'gruelling' accentuates the ongoing nature of the experience. Over time, 'gruelling' has evolved specifically to describe extreme persistency in work or other exhausting activities and is commonly used in contemporary language to portray challenging physical feats or intense labor situations that demand significant effort.

This word's position of #32,042 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

• ...
• 32039 contextualize
• 32040 cuboid
• 32041 pluses
• 32042 gruelling
• 32043 shallowest
• 32044 ineluctable
• 32045 vilification
• ...