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
Stefan Ionescu
may 20, New Atlas, 20 May 2026
Harsh economic realities such as inflation and costly construction materials, along with elevated interest rates, have made the development of market-rate residential projects more challenging.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 20 May 2026
Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Health Secretary Wes Streeting became the first senior minister to quit Starmer ’s Cabinet on Thursday in what is expected to be a precursor to challenging his leadership.
—ABC News, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for challenging
Adjective
However, something made this even more challenging – the firm pretty much had only wild grass to work with as a construction material within a five-mile radius.
—Stefan Ionescu
may 20, New Atlas, 20 May 2026
Harsh economic realities such as inflation and costly construction materials, along with elevated interest rates, have made the development of market-rate residential projects more challenging.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 20 May 2026
Verb
Health Secretary Wes Streeting became the first senior minister to quit Starmer’s Cabinet on Thursday in what is expected to be a precursor to challenging his leadership.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Health Secretary Wes Streeting became the first senior minister to quit Starmer ’s Cabinet on Thursday in what is expected to be a precursor to challenging his leadership.
—ABC News, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for challenging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenging
Adjective
-
When Thomson went through a difficult divorce, in 2014, Djena would often check in on her, showing up at her door with food.—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Crow-Armstrong had just failed to make a highly difficult, leaping catch at the wall.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Shooting in Japan, difficult underwater filming, and an extremely demanding post-production with editing, sound design and VFX.—
JD Linville,
Variety,
19 May 2026
-
Blue-collar work tends to be more physically demanding and often risky.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
And the two are treated differently, with Dorothy and other characters repeatedly questioning whether Tik-Tok is, in fact, alive.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
19 May 2026
-
Wanted for questioning, Watts later surrendered to authorities on an outstanding federal arrest warrant.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Riley Keough wore a strapless black gown anchored by an oversized sculptural skirt and daring high slit.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
-
And Horizon established its physics language long ago, and isn’t daring to upset what has worked before.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Cassidy also complained that a new primary system enacted last year confused voters by requiring them to ask for a partisan ballot instead of the all-party primary previously in place.—
Thomas Beaumont,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
-
Klarna has since shifted to a hybrid model, where AI handles routine inquiries, and people focus on situations requiring judgment and empathy.—
Rhett Power,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Each of those teams will be competing for playoff spots again, leaving the Raiders with no easy divisional wins and a tough out-of-division schedule.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
The group did just enough against Sale and a tough Braves bullpen to avoid getting shut out for the third time in five games.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Democrats were not calling for contesting War Powers Resolution and what the executive power was there.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
-
So your rotations aren’t just about contesting 3s.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sixteen people had to be hospitalized, with 10 needing intensive care, and one person died, according to the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
-
Still, the group notes areas needing improvement, chief among them the county jails, which remain under a federal consent decree to improve conditions.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Challenging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenging. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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