challenging 1 of 2

adjective

ˈcha-lən-jiŋ How to pronounce challenging (audio)
Definition of challengingnext
1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort an exceptionally challenging brainteaser

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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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challenging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of challenge
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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2
as in daring
to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat I challenge you to swim to the other side of the pond

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3
as in requiring
to have as a requirement having to put up with an overbearing boss challenges forbearance

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of challenging
Adjective
The Sheriff’s Department typically houses mentally ill prisoners at the Twin Towers, but Magaña’s family claims he was not transferred to a specialized unit within the jail that deals with more challenging cases. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 Collectively the display contributes to enriching knowledge of and challenging conventions on ocean topics. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
Democrats need to pick up four seats to retake the Senate majority, a once remote prospect that remains challenging for the party. — ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026 Haai’s arrangement and production techniques in Digitise are sometimes challenging to the listener by design. — Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for challenging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenging
  1. difficult
  2. demanding
  3. questioning
  4. daring
  5. requiring
  6. tough
  7. contesting
  8. needing
Adjective
  • Performances across the board are strong, even if the characterizations themselves are more difficult to embrace.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Making short-haul rail more competitive Parallel argues that its system could open routes that are currently difficult for conventional rail services to serve economically, particularly journeys under 500 miles.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • The researchers plan to continue improving the system and evaluate it on more demanding manipulation tasks.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In civil denaturalization cases, the government generally must prove its case in federal court with clear, unequivocal and convincing evidence, a demanding standard that reflects the importance of citizenship and the consequences of revoking it.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of demanding
Verb
  • The home’s dissolving interior boundary suits an artist who has spent her career questioning where humans fit within the vastness of space and time.
    — Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The hiding place was disclosed by a third suspect during questioning.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of questioning
Verb
  • Concurrently Vaccarello was designing his own line, launched in 2008, which was distinguished by surgically precise cuts that showcased the body in daring ways.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026
  • That is the logline that greets chefs daring to take on Warner’s 100 Cooks, which found its perfect American host in the shape of Terry Crews.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of daring
Verb
  • The bag does the color blocking for you, adding an unexpected hit of color without requiring you to overthink the styling.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The overhaul would also tighten restrictions on community development grants and donations by requiring those funds be tied to a specific project.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of requiring
Adjective
  • Celebrity hairstylist Brian Magallones considers this the perfect balance between a not-too-fussy and not-too-structured chignon, a style that sounds tough to style without a professional team but is actually quite easy to master at-home.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Coming off that dominant performance against the Yankees, Rasmussen went six-plus tough innings.
    — Rob Maaddi, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of tough
Verb
  • Those include Renée Elise Goldsberry as Michael’s former colleague and lover, contesting cases before a rogue’s gallery of quirky judges played by the likes of Jackie Earle Haley, Jackie Hoffman and Peter Riegert.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Ten other candidates are also contesting the presidency, representing parties from across Brazil’s political spectrum.
    — Katie Angell Britannica Editors Oct. 2, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of contesting
Verb
  • The joy of being in DTLA is proximity to transit, putting Santa Monica, Pasadena, and everywhere in between within easy reach without necessarily needing Ubers or a rental car.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • But the paradox of choice can be a headache for companies needing computing power yesterday.
    — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of needing

Browse Nearby Words

challenges
challenging
chamber
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Cite this Entry

“Challenging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenging. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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