challenging

adjective

chal·leng·ing | \ ˈcha-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

Other Words from challenging Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about challenging

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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

That’s turning out to be more challenging than first anticipated in some aspects while there’s been great progress and work done in plenty of other areas. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "This week in games: Razer is making a toaster, Sonic has human baby teeth," 3 May 2019 Towing Kuznetsov out of Kola Bay, across the Norwegian Sea, down through the North and South Atlantic Oceans, past the Cape of Good Hope, and then across the Indian Ocean, South Pacific, and the North Pacific would be very challenging. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Russia’s Beleaguered Aircraft Carrier Could Be Scrapped If New Repair Yard Can’t Be Found," 9 Apr. 2019 This was an intensely challenging time for parents, students and black teachers alike. — Arica L. Coleman, Time, "The County That Closed Its Public Schools Rather Than Desegregate After Brown v. Board of Education," 16 May 2018 Due to dense vegetation, February through April is generally considered the most challenging time for viewing creatures who tend to stay close to the shrubbery, including leopards and rhino. — Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, "Why Your First Safari Should Be in Botswana," 25 Apr. 2018 The first-quarter earnings season is heating up at a challenging time for euro-area stocks. — Aleksandra Gjorgievska, Bloomberg.com, "Europe Investors Bet Profits Will Spur Stock Market Comeback," 24 Apr. 2018 Throughout these tasks, the specialists use empathy and experience to guide clients through what can be a challenging time. — Cheryl P. Rose, Houston Chronicle, "Senior moves: Experts in downsizing make process easier," 23 Apr. 2018 The question of obstruction proved more challenging. — Sadie Gurman, WSJ, "As Mueller Report Is Unveiled, Barr’s Stance Puts Him in Crosshairs," 18 Apr. 2019 Aspects of design can also become more challenging. — Alyssa Hardy, Teen Vogue, "Interview: Designer Mara Hoffman on Sustainability in Fashion," 22 Mar. 2019

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.