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

• 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

That means the blood-red moon will climb above the eastern horizon already darkened, creating a dramatic but challenging sight. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2025

The easier tasks are less intimidating and will help build your confidence to work on something more challenging in the future. —Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

Speak up without speaking over One of the biggest perception gaps has to do with challenging misogynistic behavior at work. —Colleen Tolan, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2025

The pressure on high-end fashion brands to maintain their aura of quality, exclusivity and ethics is mounting amid an already challenging luxury landscape, which is being impacted by a global spending downturn. —Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see challenge entry 1

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1