challenging

adjective

chal·​leng·​ing ˈcha-lən-jiŋ 

1

: arousing competitive interest, thought, or action

a challenging course of study

a challenging job

2

: invitingly provocative : fascinating

a challenging personality

challenging questions

challengingly

ˈcha-lən-jiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

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

Examples of challenging in a Sentence

I find the job challenging and fun.

Teaching is challenging but rewarding work.

It's a challenging book that requires careful reading.

The slope was challenging for even the most experienced climbers.

Recent Examples on the Web

All skin types What to Know Before Buying Concealers Your Shade Color-matching is arguably the most challenging part of concealer shopping. —Kate Watson, Peoplemag, 28 May 2024

With mortgage rates continuing to hover between 7% and 8%, it’s been challenging—near impossible—for many homebuyers to break into today’s housing market. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 24 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

see challenge entry 1

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1