Gruelling experience (6)

I believe the answer is:

ordeal

'gruelling experience' is the definition.
(I know that ordeal are arduous)

This is all the clue.

(Other definitions for ordeal that I've seen before include "Trial; nightmare" , "Suffering - trial" , "A difficult and harrowing experience" , "Horrific experience" , "Disturbing experience" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.

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