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

Such a campaign would be more challenging if allies such as Saudi Arabia are unwilling to allow their territory and airspace to be used for attacks on Iran. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

The original radioactive compound showed enormous promise, but producing it reliably and efficiently was challenging. — Robert Dannals, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2026

The most challenging day was its very first stage, the team time trial in Barcelona, with a 20-person team needed instead of the usual six — due to several intermediate time-checks throughout the city-centre course. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 20 July 2026

The lack of a coherent system to help workers enter and re-enter the workforce is especially challenging amid the labor market’s dramatic changes. — Michael Collins, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

see challenge entry 1

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1