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 search centered on the Desolation Wilderness, a nearly 64,000-acre section of the Eldorado National Forest, west of South Lake Tahoe and known for its granite peaks, dense forests, remote lakes and challenging terrain. —Richard Ramos, CBS News, 6 June 2026

Towering 20,310 feet above sea level, Denali is considered one of the most challenging climbs in North America. —Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026

The royals moved into Forest Lodge in October 2025, creating a fresh start after a challenging chapter. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026

But next week’s inflation data can give investors an idea of just how challenging the economy is getting for consumers, and how tenable the upward momentum is in the stock market. —Sarah Min, CNBC, 5 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

see challenge entry 1

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1