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 of challenging

• difficult
• tough
• rigorous
• demanding
• hard

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

The journey is a true adventure that includes moderate to challenging hikes, but the reward is a wild, unspoiled jungle with magnificent wildlife encounters—Osa Peninsula hosts approximately 50% of all of the species found in Costa Rica. —Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026

Long drives are a big part of life in rural America, but transportation is uniquely challenging for people who are ill, elderly or both. —Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026

There are, but the geography is challenging. —ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026

Designed to detonate at high altitude the munition disperses dozens of smaller bombs that are more challenging for Israel's multi-layered air defense system to intercept and can cause damage over a wider area. —Npr Staff, NPR, 29 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see challenge entry 1

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1