challenging

1 of 2

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 entry 1

a challenging personality

challenging questions

challengingly

ˈcha-lən-jiŋ-lē 

adverb

challenging

2 of 2

present participle of challenge entry 1

Synonyms of challenging

Adjective

• difficult
• tough
• rigorous
• demanding
• hard

Examples of challenging in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Repeating an experiment would mean starting off with a new sample, making the research more challenging than anticipated. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026

The most challenging times of her mayoral tenure were yet to come. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Nov. 2026

And rather than allowing his defense to anchor him during challenging games, the wing often allows his frustration to seep into his defensive assignments. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

The auto industry — from the companies to their customers — has been surprisingly resilient this decade, but there are fears that rising costs, weaker vehicle pricing and a more challenging market could threaten profits and growth going forward. — Michael Wayland, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see challenge entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1