1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
an exceptionally challenging brainteaser
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Carley Millhone, Health, 10 Nov. 2025
The big question, given the challenging marketplace, is why.
—Gregg Goldstein, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
The opposition, now mostly in exile, also seems to have internalized the impossibility of challenging the regime from within.
—Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for challenging
Adjective
Eating carbohydrates after a workout helps restore your glycogen stores, which helps your body fight fatigue and have energy after a challenging workout.
—Carley Millhone, Health, 10 Nov. 2025
The big question, given the challenging marketplace, is why.
—Gregg Goldstein, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
Wang framed the moment as both challenging and exhilarating for content creators, producers and investors.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
The opposition, now mostly in exile, also seems to have internalized the impossibility of challenging the regime from within.
—Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for challenging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenging
Adjective
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Jens generally chooses his words carefully, and is, what’s more, particularly reticent just after finishing a long and difficult winter delivery trip; what’s a person supposed to do with words in a blizzard anyway, up on a stormy heath and all directions lost?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
In his first start in the wake of Beau Pribula’s significant injury, Zollers walked into a difficult situation, and his stat line reflected it.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Being the greatest gymnast is a demanding job, requiring a level of physical, mental, and emotional commitment most people couldn’t handle.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Polartec® Power Shield™ Pro—Protection, Evolved Engineered for the world’s most demanding mountain athletes, Polartec® Power Shield™ Pro represents the pinnacle of shell technology, blurring the lines between hard and soft shells.—
SJ Studio,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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He was extradited to Pennsylvania for questioning and when he was compelled to testify before a grand jury, Schrader invoked his Fifth Amendment right when asked about Carol Ann Dougherty's murder.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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As America gathers to watch his trial, Jax must contend with an ambitious new colleague, Bill Sterling (Sikora), and co-workers questioning her worth.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Ingmar Bergman’s early-fifties soap commercials put daring methods—metafiction, animation, and even a 3-D parody—to comedic ends.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
-
This gallows had been raised to last—built not only by children but for them, since few adults would have the agility and daring to reach the top.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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India became Sri Lanka’s de facto lender of last resort without requiring the Sri Lankan government to address concerns about the human rights abuses, militarization, or corruption that fueled the country’s political crisis.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
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His relationship with the company predates the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, the federal law requiring manufacturers to publicly disclose their payments to doctors.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
12 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This loss had to be especially tough for the Jayhawks, considering a controversial holding call on KU changed the momentum of the game.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
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However, their record at the Etihad makes for tough reading.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The country's largest opposition party Chadema was banned from contesting the elections and its leader Tundu Lissu is currently on trial on treason charges.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
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In Florida, biologist Brittney Brown is contesting her termination from the state’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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If an app asks for permissions that do not match its purpose, like a calculator wanting your location or a flashlight needing camera access, that is a major red flag.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
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What Maliya didn’t know at the time was that Alex, 27, was only in the state for six months before needing to return to college to finish his degree.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Challenging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenging. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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