Synonyms of challenging

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challenging 1 of 2

adjective

See Dictionary Definition

1

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort

an exceptionally challenging brainteaser

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difficult
• tough
• demanding
• rigorous
• hard
• complicated
• formidable
• testing
• rough
• heavy
• exhausting
• arduous
• strenuous
• rugged
• effortful
• grueling
• uphill
• complex
• severe
• intricate
• painful
• laborious
• sweaty
• tall
• exacting
• backbreaking
• herculean
• problematic
• murderous
• serious
• killer
• gruelling
• toilsome
• tricky
• involved
• stiff
• annoying
• elusive
• stressful
• trying
• hellacious
• taxing
• troublesome
• pick-and-shovel
• stubborn
• brutal
• problematical
• thorny
• oppressive
• grim
• abstract
• onerous
• burdensome
• moiling
• tight
• abstruse
• bruising
• irksome
• labored
• recondite
• knotty
• ticklish
• insoluble
• vexatious
• bothersome
• opaque
• hairy
• Augean
• strict
• distressing
• stringent
• spiny
• cruel
• inhuman
• grievous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• simple
• undemanding
• light
• doable
• effortless
• soft
• clear
• achievable
• uncomplicated
• facile
• cheap
• mindless
• elementary
• comforting
• smooth
• gentle
• manageable
• soothing
• accessible
• relaxed
• friendly
• painless
• user-friendly
• idiotproof

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• easy
• simple
• undemanding
• light
• doable
• effortless
• soft
• clear
• achievable
• uncomplicated
• facile
• cheap
• mindless
• elementary
• comforting
• smooth
• gentle
• manageable
• soothing
• accessible
• relaxed
• friendly
• painless
• user-friendly
• idiotproof

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difficult
• demanding
• tough
• arduous
• hard
• taxing
• grueling
• onerous
• burdensome
• laborious
• exacting
• gruelling
• killing
• formidable
• testing
• strenuous
• toilsome
• trying
• persnickety
• rigorous
• herculean
• oppressive
• rough
• rugged
• stiff
• stringent
• severe
• rigid
• strict
• stern

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• undemanding
• light
• unchallenging
• simple
• smooth
• effortless
• nondemanding
• facile

• easy
• undemanding
• light
• unchallenging
• simple
• smooth
• effortless
• nondemanding
• facile

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• questioning
• contesting
• disputing
• doubting
• impeaching
• opposing
• querying
• protesting
• oppugning
• resisting
• mistrusting
• calling into question
• calling in question
• combating
• fighting
• combatting
• objecting (to)
• kicking (about)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accepting
• supporting
• embracing
• believing
• defending
• swallowing
• enduring
• backing
• promoting
• advocating
• tolerating
• championing
• abiding
• stomaching

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• accepting
• supporting
• embracing
• believing
• defending
• swallowing
• enduring
• backing
• promoting
• advocating
• tolerating
• championing
• abiding
• stomaching

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• daring
• confronting
• stumping
• defying
• braving
• brazening
• breasting
• facing
• outbraving
• bearding
• outfacing

3

as in requiring

to have as a requirement

having to put up with an overbearing boss challenges forbearance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• requiring
• needing
• demanding
• taking
• wanting
• necessitating
• involving
• claiming
• warranting
• calling for
• entailing
• lacking
• asking
• bearing
• begging
• exacting
• insisting
• enjoining
• commanding
• pressing
• questing
• stipulating
• clamoring (for)
• hurting (for)
• crying (for)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• having
• holding
• possessing
• owning

• having
• holding
• possessing
• owning