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

• arduous
• burdensome
• challenging
• exacting
• grueling
• gruelling
• killing
• laborious
• onerous
• persnickety
• taxing
• toilsome

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

All have long-standing reputations and a superb stock that will meet the requirements of the most demanding connoisseur. —Felipe Schrieberg, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025

That becomes especially useful when dealing with fluctuating frame rates on more demanding games. —PC Magazine, 11 June 2025

Liberatore is a professional shaped by the demanding and deeply influential disciplines of medicine and law. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 11 June 2025

Some Minnesotans have received several messages that became more and more demanding, according to the Department of Public Safety. —Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 6 June 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