challenging

chal·leng·ing

adjective \-lən-jiŋ\

Definition of CHALLENGING

1

: arousing competitive interest, thought, or action <a challenging course of study>

2

: invitingly provocative : fascinating <a challenging personality>

— chal·leng·ing·ly \-jiŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of CHALLENGING

1. I find the job challenging and fun.
2. Teaching is challenging but rewarding work.
3. It's a challenging book that requires careful reading.
4. The slope was challenging for even the most experienced climbers.

First Known Use of CHALLENGING

1842

Related to CHALLENGING

Synonyms

arduous, Augean, backbreaking, hard, demanding, difficult, effortful, exacting, formidable, grueling (or gruelling), heavy, hellacious, herculean, killer, laborious, moiling, murderous, pick-and-shovel, rigorous, rough, rugged, severe, stiff, strenuous, sweaty, tall, testing, toilsome, tough, uphill

Antonyms

cheap, easy, effortless, facile, light, mindless, simple, soft, undemanding

Related Words

abstract, abstruse, complex, complicated, elusive, hairy, insoluble, intricate, involved, knotty, opaque, problematic (also problematical), recondite, serious, spiny, stubborn, thorny, ticklish, tricky; bruising, burdensome, exhausting, labored, onerous, oppressive, stressful, taxing, tight, trying; annoying, bothersome, distressing, irksome, troublesome, vexatious; grievous, grim, strict, stringent; brutal, cruel, inhuman, painful

Near Antonyms

achievable, clear, doable, elementary, manageable, uncomplicated; comforting, gentle, painless, relaxed, smooth, soothing; accessible, friendly, idiotproof, user-friendly