1
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
the demanding assignment kept them working all night long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exacting
hard to please
will play before a demanding audience of music critics, who are not easily impressed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
the demanding task of reading and grading student compositions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in requiring
to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority
the losing party demanded a recount of the votes cast in the election
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in needing
to have as a requirement
a task that demands one's unremitting attention
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in asking
to set or receive as a price
superstars of the big screen who demand millions for appearing in a movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demanding
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
According to police, Cooksey opened the door with blood on his hands and became angry and demanding.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Philip Elliott, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Several issues remain to be resolved – most notably, Azerbaijan is demanding that Armenia changes its constitution – a move that would likely be rejected by Armenian voters in a referendum.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demanding
Adjective
That’s not a huge priority for me, only because making movies is just so demanding.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
According to police, Cooksey opened the door with blood on his hands and became angry and demanding.
—Miguel Torres, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
In 2013, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas led a shutdown over Obamacare, demanding Democrats and President Barack Obama undo that legislative legacy.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Several issues remain to be resolved – most notably, Azerbaijan is demanding that Armenia changes its constitution – a move that would likely be rejected by Armenian voters in a referendum.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demanding
Adjective
-
The big story Immigration anxieties and a challenging job market have sparked an online backlash over China's latest attempt at attracting global talent — a new visa program announced in August.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
His expertise could greatly benefit Ott, ahead of what is destined to be a challenging year in Phoenix.—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Another essay in the collection, written by Sarah Maitland, is more exacting.—
Anna Bruno
September 19,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The watch is offered in exceptional condition, preserved in line with the most exacting standards of connoisseurship, the auction house said.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
For once, the bulk of the anger was directed not at Fosun — the investment group and majority shareholder – and the Molineux hierarchy who have conspired to deal Pereira a difficult hand, but at the head coach himself and his players.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Romancelandia’s social world, harnessed by its business-minded authors, may make its success exceedingly difficult to replicate.—
Rebecca Ackermann,
The Atlantic,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Bahari Makmur Sejati, requiring the firm to demonstrate remediation before resuming shipments.—
Matt Cannon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
On Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act into law, requiring AI companies to disclose their safety practices while stopping short of mandating actual safety testing.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
According to The Information, OpenAI chief Sam Altman has floated eventually needing 250 gigawatts of electricity — equivalent to about a third of peak power consumption across the US.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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Through the first four weeks of the season, the Seattle Seahawks have one of the league’s best defenses despite needing to play various defensive back combinations because of injuries in the secondary.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Confident in his abilities and comfortable with awkward silence, Counsell is constantly asking questions and gathering information.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Many of the major talent agencies across New York and Los Angeles, including the likes of CAA, WME and UTA, were hit with a letter Tuesday asking agents and their clients to boycott the Surrey Hotel in New York City, at least for now.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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These treatments require careful and ongoing monitoring.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Lammens was perhaps fortunate to escape sanction then (Stuart Atwell booked the forward for diving), but this was a valuable occasion ahead of tougher tests, beginning at Anfield.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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There will be some tough picking in there, but typically the predicting business gets a little easier in region play.—
Tyler Palmateer,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demanding. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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