1
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
an exceptionally challenging brainteaser
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Addie Morfoot, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025
The money being poured into this challenging combination of art and technology is meant to restore a faith that, at least in Barcelona, seems to have no chance of being rekindled.
—D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Lambert said the process for Tyson to remove specific ingredients from their range of products can be challenging and time consuming, as the company has more than 1,850 items across its portfolio.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for challenging
Adjective
What was the most challenging aspect of telling Berlusconi’s story?
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025
The money being poured into this challenging combination of art and technology is meant to restore a faith that, at least in Barcelona, seems to have no chance of being rekindled.
—D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
For the Boy Scouts of America — recently renamed Scouting America — the past 12 years have been challenging.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Lambert said the process for Tyson to remove specific ingredients from their range of products can be challenging and time consuming, as the company has more than 1,850 items across its portfolio.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for challenging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenging
Adjective
-
Ncell, Nepal’s second-largest telecommunications service provider, noted that shutting down all platforms at once was, in any case, technically difficult and warned that the move would severely impact business.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
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Last summer, after years of hip problems and some difficult surgeries to address them, Jill had an operation that went poorly.—
Bianca Bosker,
The Atlantic,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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On the other extreme is the argument that the dynamic is a matter of other factors, such as the types of work women choose; maternity disruptions to careers; less willingness on the whole to work long hours or more physically demanding positions; and poorer negotiation skills.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The study frames smoke-drying as a deliberate and technically demanding mortuary innovation among tropical hunter-gatherers.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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According to the New York Times, this individual was the second person detained and later released by law enforcement authorities after questioning.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Instead, the Prime Minister’s absence has left British Jews questioning whether this government is serious about confronting the hatred consuming our country.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The contrasts are part of what defines Sarah LaPonte and chef Nik Forsberg’s daring Nordic-ish restaurant, where anyone can find their niche.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
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Built like a small oak-wood icebox, Wilson always looked more like a second baseman who loved planting his feet, hanging in there on a double play, and daring a charging base runner to take him out.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, global demand for data center capacity could more than triple by 2030, requiring upgrades in power, cooling, and connectivity.—
Maurice Obeid,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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But while salons have offered steam treatments as a curly hair staple for decades, at-home steamers have been too bulky (attempting to replicate in-salon domes) or too hard to use, requiring you to wrestle your curls into heated thermal caps, a battle that’s easy to lose.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The backcourt duo of Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, also known as the StudBudz, are shifty, tough shot-making guards who can get hot in a hurry.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
-
And that’s tough on those guys.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Confirmation of contesting countries usually takes place the October before the event, which is held the following May.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
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Additionally, businesses are limited by the administrative process for contesting tariffs, under which tariff adjustments must occur in a period of 314 days, or slightly more than 10 months.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Small accents here and there help transition to Halloween for October without needing to completely redecorate once the holiday ends.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Sep. 2025
-
This question opens up powerful lessons on letting go of control, ego, needing to be right or doing it all alone.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Challenging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenging. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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