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

For a character rooted in logic and reason, investigating a murder based on the uncertainty of faith proved to be a challenging opportunity to discover more about the detective. —Senior Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025

While some companies view sustainability as a burden in challenging times, others see it as an opportunity for innovation and resilience. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 10 Dec. 2025

This becomes even more challenging when the weather is beautiful and everyone wants to be outside. —Brennan Long, Southern Living, 9 Dec. 2025

The management uncertainty adds to what is already a challenging time at CNN, where there was no doubt who was in charge before swashbuckling founder Ted Turner sold his company in 1996. —David Bauder, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see challenge entry 1

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1