punishing

/ˈpʌnɪʃɪŋ/

/ˈpʌnɪʃɪŋ/

Something punishing is extremely physically difficult to do. On a very hot, humid day, even a 5K is a punishing race to run.

Anything that exhausts you because it's so demanding can be described with the adjective punishing. A punishing hike leaves you gasping and applying bandages to your blisters. A punishing argument with your family is more mentally arduous. Sometimes, punishing things weaken or debilitate: "The lack of snow had a punishing result for the ski industry." Rarely, punishing also means "leading to punishment."

Definitions of punishing

1. adjective

   characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
   “set a punishing pace”

   synonyms: arduous, backbreaking, grueling, gruelling, hard, heavy, laborious, operose, toilsome

   effortful

   requiring great physical effort
2. adjective

   resulting in punishment
   “the king imposed a punishing tax”