1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
an exceptionally challenging brainteaser
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in demanding
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
a challenging test designed to whittle down the number of contestants
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in questioning
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of
don't hesitate to challenge any statement that generalizes about people
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in requiring
to have as a requirement
having to put up with an overbearing boss challenges forbearance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of challenging
Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
If a call is overturned − a successful challenge − the challenging team retains its challenge.
—Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Henfling, who has been a flight director since 2015, is also no stranger to challenging missions.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for challenging
Adjective
Part of the reason Hinton’s prediction about radiologists never came true is that medical-imaging software needs to go through the notoriously challenging FDA review process, slowing down its deployment and raising costs.
—Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
If a call is overturned − a successful challenge − the challenging team retains its challenge.
—Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
The letter was submitted in a federal court case stemming from a lawsuit by advocacy groups challenging ICE's practice of carrying out arrests inside immigration courts, which are run by the Justice Department.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Henfling, who has been a flight director since 2015, is also no stranger to challenging missions.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for challenging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenging
Adjective
-
Christie acknowledged that the Kings were in a difficult position given their recent schedule injury situation.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Even putting the tank on the ice was more difficult this year.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The right answer, if there is one, has to be more demanding.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
This high-capacity version ensures your most demanding creative assets are always instantly accessible, cementing its status as a premier, long-term investment for any mobile professional.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Pattinson is like a manic roller coaster on screen, increasingly off the rails as the weight of Emma’s reveal has Charlie questioning everything and reacting badly to the situation.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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The leaders of the Senate committee that oversees the FCC are questioning how the agency gave approval to the Nexstar–Tegna transaction, the massive broadcast station merger that already has been paused by a federal court.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Months after a daring hunger strike failed to pause development of Anthropic’s AI Claude, protestors have rallied around the company’s headquarters to call for a complete stop to AI development.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
-
At the beginning of the daring raid, a series of US strikes hit targets across Venezuela.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Instead of requiring county behavioral health departments to get involved directly, the bill proposes that such requests be added to the existing CARE Court process.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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But requiring all 3- or 4-year-olds to participate in a public preschool program or pretending that child care will produce better outcomes for all children doesn’t hold up to the data.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The real minutes, tough minutes on the road, stressful.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
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After those seven players, things get a little tough to project.—
Mike Kaye
March 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There are at least three more pending investigations that are still outstanding, according to OSHA’s website, and Boring Company is currently contesting eight citations it was issued regarding chemical burns in 2024.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
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Sixteen European sides are contesting the UEFA matches and six teams from around the world are taking part in the inter-confederation fixtures.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Edwards went in needing to play in every remaining Wolves game to meet the NBA's 65-game minimum for eligibility for all-NBA consideration.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Traoré led the Nets with 17 points and six assists, controlling the game without needing to overcomplicate it.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Challenging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenging. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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