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challenging

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adjective chal·leng·ing \ -lən-jiŋ \

Definition of challenging

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

play \-jiŋ-lē\ adverb

See challenging defined for English-language learners

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Examples of challenging in a Sentence

  1. I find the job challenging and fun.

  2. Teaching is challenging but rewarding work.

  3. It's a challenging book that requires careful reading.

  4. The slope was challenging for even the most experienced climbers.

Recent Examples of challenging from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'challenging.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of challenging

see 1challenge

challenging Synonyms

Synonyms
arduous, Augean, backbreaking, hard, demanding, difficult, effortful, exacting, formidable, grueling (or gruelling), heavy, hellacious, herculean, killer, laborious, moiling, murderous, pick-and-shovel, rigorous, rough, rugged, severe, stiff, strenuous, sweaty, tall, testing, toilsome, tough, uphill
Antonyms
cheap, easy, effortless, facile, light, mindless, simple, soft, undemanding
Related Words
abstract, abstruse, complex, complicated, elusive, hairy, insoluble, intricate, involved, knotty, opaque, problematic (also problematical), recondite, serious, spiny, stubborn, thorny, ticklish, tricky; bruising, burdensome, exhausting, labored, onerous, oppressive, stressful, taxing, tight, trying; annoying, bothersome, distressing, irksome, troublesome, vexatious; grievous, grim, strict, stringent; brutal, cruel, inhuman, painful
Near Antonyms
achievable, clear, doable, elementary, manageable, uncomplicated; comforting, gentle, painless, relaxed, smooth, soothing; accessible, friendly, idiotproof, user-friendly

CHALLENGING Defined for English Language Learners

challenging

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adjective

Definition of challenging for English Language Learners

  • : difficult in a way that is usually interesting or enjoyable

Learn More about challenging

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for challenging Nglish: Translation of challenging for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of challenging for Arabic speakers

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Examples: challenging in a Sentence