demanding

adjective

de·​mand·​ing di-ˈman-diŋ 

-ˈmän-,

dē-

: requiring much time, effort, or attention : exacting

a demanding job

demanding customers

demandingly

di-ˈman-diŋ-lē 

-ˈmän-

dē-

adverb

demandingness noun

Synonyms

• challenging
• difficult

Examples of demanding in a Sentence

She had a demanding schedule with little free time.

Factory work can be physically demanding.

I have heard it is one of the most demanding courses at the university.

Their boss was really demanding, often expecting them to work long into the night.

Recent Examples on the Web

These jobs are highly demanding, but they are considered part-time under the city charter. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 July 2025

Once upon a time, the leadership style of a college coach was simple: intense, demanding, rigid, focused on detail and motivating with more stick than carrot. —Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 8 July 2025

Schedule your most demanding activities during your chronotype’s ideal productivity hours. —Jp Shaffer july 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2025

But in that story, Wilson is probably the main character, donning Newcastle’s most demanding squad number. —Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of demand entry 2

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for demanding

• commanding
• disbanding
• expanding
• freestanding
• misbranding
• outstanding
• remanding
• upstanding
• withstanding
• banding
• branding
• handing

Kids Definition

demanding

adjective

de·​mand·​ing

di-ˈman-diŋ

: making many or difficult demands : exacting

a demanding job

demandingly adverb