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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Sherry Martin, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The event itself is logistically challenging.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
Not necessarily a slam dunk Determining fair market value of endorsements is challenging.
—Jesse Silvertown, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for challenging
Adjective
This collective support transforms challenging circumstances into growth opportunities.
—Sherry Martin, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The event itself is logistically challenging.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
The fire is in a remote area with difficult access, Cal Fire said, noting steep conditions are making containment challenging.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
Not necessarily a slam dunk Determining fair market value of endorsements is challenging.
—Jesse Silvertown, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for challenging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenging
Adjective
-
The Bulls look to be the best team in the Group of Five conferences, while the Gators and coach Billy Napier are now under pressure with a difficult SEC schedule ahead.—
Erick Smith,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Usually the final day of boot camp is most difficult.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The significant weight loss and the dramatic nature of the role suggest a deep commitment to his acting career, which makes a return to the physically demanding world of professional wrestling seem unlikely in the near future.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Wheaton has opened up about how he was bullied into his acting career by his overly demanding mother and physically aggressive father.—
Sezin Devi Koehler September 1,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The documentary, a small-town cyberbullying case that resulted in an FBI investigation, tells the topsy-turvy story in a way that leaves you questioning almost every person involved.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Leadership in the National Institute of Health questioning the use of mRNA vaccines (which include COVID vaccines).—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
From sleight-of-hand tricks to daring stunts, the afternoon is designed to keep the laughs and gasps coming.—
Tiffani Jackson Skinner,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Enthralling both fellow captives and the Bey of Algiers, Cervantes, his spirit unbroken, also imagines a daring escape plan.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That comes after California joined more than 40 states that have laws requiring cars to park a certain distance - typically about 20 feet - from any intersection, according to research from the California Research Bureau of the California State Library.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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Those include making people verify old account information when requesting a change and requiring comptroller office staff to speak with a vendor’s representative on the phone to finalize an account change.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That’s a tough dichotomy to bridge, but the new 2025 911 Carrera GTS achieves it brilliantly.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The tough stainless steel loops are reinforced and designed to remain rust-free even after years of use, and a three number combination lock will be easy to remember and difficult to crack.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Gilliam is not contesting states' rights to ban profane, sexualized or vulgar plates.—
Angele Latham,
The Tennessean,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Gilliam is not contesting states' rights to ban profane, sexualized or vulgar plates.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With these businesses utilizing the space along with Mama’s Boy Salsa, Koncki said his increase in production means needing more days to work.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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For developers needing faster processing, the system supports parallel inference across multiple GPUs using the xDiT framework.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Challenging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenging. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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