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
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Then came a health emergency that forced her to leave her physically demanding work.
—ABC News, 18 Mar. 2026
Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Trump’s 15-point-counterplan is equally maximalist, demanding a rollback of Iran’s nuclear program and the end of their funding proxies, according to Israel Channel 12.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for demanding
Adjective
That said, some strong performers come bursting into the kitchen, including the two leads, Kelsey MacDonald, playing a demanding, triple-threat part first written for Sutton Foster, and Trey Plutnicki, every inch the strong-jawed Broadway bachelor.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Then came a health emergency that forced her to leave her physically demanding work.
—ABC News, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
Astros owner Jim Crane is sort of the anti-Hal, demanding excellence even when his roster is not capable of providing it.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Trump’s 15-point-counterplan is equally maximalist, demanding a rollback of Iran’s nuclear program and the end of their funding proxies, according to Israel Channel 12.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for demanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demanding
Adjective
-
Palace’s remaining eight games are more challenging than those listed above in terms of the quality of opposition but might, counter-intuitively, offer them a better chance of success as more space opens up to work into during transition.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Directed by Lawrence Lamont from a script by Syreeta Singleton — both making their feature debut — the film grossed over $51M worldwide at a challenging time for theatrical comedies and has a sequel in development.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Loznitsa’s methods are grim and exacting, but the effect is never monotonous; there are shivers of Hitchcockian suspense, plus a whispery cackle of satire that veers toward the Kafkaesque.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
-
That meant that creditors had to follow the more exacting claim process.—
Virginia Hammerle,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
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
Verb
-
The Sacramento Police Department identified Hernandez as the suspect in the deadly stabbing and released his photo and description in December 2017, asking the public to help find him.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
25 Mar. 2026
-
After asking him to model courage, and to be the container of everyone’s hope—and after so many of Rozos’s peers loudly cheered him on—NYU denied Rozos their diploma.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
An assembly of planets in Aries moves through your twelfth house, stirring emotions behind the scenes and asking for careful tending.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
To the begonia collectors out there, Begona Black Velvet, with large leaves that could have fallen from a maple tree, is worth a careful look.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The real minutes, tough minutes on the road, stressful.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
-
After those seven players, things get a little tough to project.—
Mike Kaye
March 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demanding. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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