demanding

adjective

de·​mand·​ing di-ˈman-diŋ 

-ˈmän-, 

dē-

: requiring much time, effort, or attention : exacting

a demanding job

demanding customers

demandingly

di-ˈman-diŋ-lē 

-ˈmän-, 

dē-

adverb

demandingness noun

Synonyms of demanding

• challenging
• difficult

Examples of demanding in a Sentence

She had a demanding schedule with little free time.

Factory work can be physically demanding.

I have heard it is one of the most demanding courses at the university.

Their boss was really demanding, often expecting them to work long into the night.

Recent Examples on the Web

Know the difference between demanding and destructive leadership. — Mark Nevins, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Each additional layer makes the decision more realistic, but also more computationally demanding. — Carsten Polenz, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026

With Geo refusing to budge, Hunsaker Ryan sent the company a letter in mid-July demanding access within 48 hours. — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2026

The robust and versatile cooling system keeps it quiet under even the most demanding loads. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of demand entry 2

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for demanding

• commanding
• disbanding
• expanding
• freestanding
• misbranding
• outstanding
• remanding
• upstanding
• withstanding
• banding
• branding
• handing

Kids Definition

demanding

adjective

de·​mand·​ing

di-ˈman-diŋ

: making many or difficult demands : exacting

a demanding job

demandingly adverb