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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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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
Tyson Foods said consumer caution around discretionary spending has created a more challenging food service demand environment. — Dylan Sherman, Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2026 Moreover, Hill — who rejoined Swoosh in October 2024 as the new CEO — is facing geopolitical and macroeconomic factors that are just as challenging. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
Saturday’s racing took place in light airs, challenging all the crews to work hard to keep their delicate F50s foiling above the water. — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026 The teachers made political donations to candidates challenging school board incumbents. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 4 Sep. 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
  • Being undefeated after a trio of difficult opening matches can only be seen as a positive, even if Newcastle’s obvious shortcomings require addressing if that run is to be prolonged.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Engineers need flight data on propulsion, aerodynamics, thermal management, guidance and other subsystems under conditions that are difficult to reproduce on the ground.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • That night, somewhere between a racist stranger, a free dessert, my girlfriend publicly shaming a man in a Mediterranean restaurant and our demanding cat, the City of Angels started to feel like home.
    — Mayur Chauhan, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • And the longer or more demanding the workout, the more important such fuel becomes.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of demanding
Verb
  • The panel’s findings led to a surge of media interest in the UK and around the world questioning the strength of the prosecution’s case.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Leaders should continue questioning whether the way their business operates still makes sense for where the company is today.
    — Dmitriy Schwarzburg, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of questioning
Verb
  • The offense still needs work in the pass game, but if teams play like Wisconsin did, basically daring Notre Dame to run the ball and take checkdowns in the pass game, Carr can play that way too.
    — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Your daring teen will love the waterslides and surf simulator, and your littles will enjoy the splash pads.
    — Alesa Andrew, Parents, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of daring
Verb
  • Since the creation of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) in 2011, there have been four categories of academies, each requiring an ascending level of investment and support staff.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • In July, the Arapaho and Shoshone councils passed ordinances requiring religious groups to seek their approval before operating on Wind River.
    — Savannah Peters, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of requiring
Adjective
  • Because of the heat wave's dramatic effect on everyday life, Paris became a tough place to walk around in the sunshine.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
  • But Chipotle has been in a tough spot since Niccol departed in 2024, and even as Boatwright’s plan shows signs of momentum (same-store sales have begun to tick back up again), there are open questions about Chipotle’s strategic direction.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of tough
Verb
  • For the Champions League and Europa League, there are eight rounds of fixtures played, with the 36 teams contesting in a league table format.
    — Leon Imber, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Every hour spent contesting the story of one difficult day is one not spent on the fight that will determine what the next decade of diabetes research looks like.
    — Charles "Chuck" Henderson, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of contesting
Verb
  • The Big Ten enters this week largely unscathed after Week 1, with 15 of its teams winning in regulation, another needing assistance from clock operators and two falling considerably short.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Besides needing to accommodate numerous reentries from SpaceX’s and Blue Origin’s multi-use rockets, another type to consider comes from Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser space plane, which recently gained new contracts for its inaugural orbital flight.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Scientific American, 7 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2026.

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