1. causing physical or emotional harm; damaging
2. very difficult or challenging

1. the formation of bruises on the body

Examples

• The boxer took a bruising defeat in the championship match.
• She endured a bruising political campaign that lasted months.
• The bruising on his arm was visible for weeks after the accident.
• The team faced bruising criticism from the media.
• The doctor examined the bruising around the patient’s ribs.
• It was a bruising experience that left her emotionally drained.
• The bruising schedule of back-to-back games exhausted the players.