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
There are several other teams teetering on the edge of being sellers and for those teams, the next two weeks will determine their deadline course, making this season more challenging than most for front offices looking to make trades. — Jim Bowden, New York Times, 17 July 2026 His 15-point first half Thursday included two 3’s, a high-degree-of-difficulty turnaround jumper and another challenging jumper. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026
Verb
For thrill-seekers, adventure tours, such as the Hall Crawl or Guts and Glory, offer hands-on spelunking experiences through muddy passages and challenging climbs. — Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 18 July 2026 Compliments can be especially challenging for people who struggle with self-esteem, says Xuan Zhao, a behavioral scientist. — Malaka Gharib, NPR, 18 July 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
  • Unlike dogs, they cannot simply be taken on longer walks, often resist dietary changes, and can be difficult to medicate consistently, making GLP-1 therapies potentially attractive if clinical trials prove successful.
    — Elsa Ohlen,Carolin Roth, CNBC, 18 July 2026
  • Their stories recount the devastation to homes and businesses, life in temporary shelters, and the difficult process of rebuilding or relocating.
    — Michelle Oliva-Espinosa, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • Those efforts produced significant performance and efficiency gains for several of the laboratory’s most demanding applications.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
  • Yzerman was known as a demanding, intimidating general manager who could grind players in negotiations.
    — Max Bultman, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of demanding
Verb
  • But when Maggie’s ex-husband, Liam (Marcus Rosner), arrives with a shocking revelation, her world is thrown into turmoil once again — leaving Cal questioning whether Maggie can ever truly leave her past behind.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 16 July 2026
  • Officials also spent hours questioning one of the deportees, Emmanuel McSweeney, 29, who told officials that neither he nor his parents were born in Haiti.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
Definition of questioning
Verb
  • But after taking the lead, England turned strangely conservative, dropping all 11 players behind the ball at times, daring Argentina to score.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
  • Alysa Liu graced the red carpet at the 2026 ESPY Awards in New York, sporting a daring ensemble.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 15 July 2026
Definition of daring
Verb
  • The Legislature is advancing bills requiring developers and operators to disclose the centers’ water usage.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
  • The resolution also includes a clause requiring a supermajority of five votes if the county is to participate in future TADs.
    — Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of requiring
Adjective
  • White, when give the chance, has displayed a diverse offensive game, a defensive bent and an ability to make tough shots.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • The stakes for new avatar don’t feel quite as high—the specific circumstances around the former was a perfect storm that'll be tough to duplicate—but the music isn’t any less potent for it.
    — Lawrence Burney, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
Definition of tough
Verb
  • Scott Peterson's attorney appeals Scott's automatic appeal was submitted to the California Supreme Court on July 5, accompanied by a 423-page brief document from Scott's attorney, contesting the trial had been unfair.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 17 July 2026
  • The city of Syracuse and county of Onondaga are contesting Broadwater’s claims.
    — ProPublica, ProPublica, 14 July 2026
Definition of contesting
Verb
  • After a strong start to the tournament, the reigning champions teetered on the brink of elimination throughout the knockout stage, trailing Egypt and England until the closing stages, needing extra time to overcome Cape Verde and Switzerland.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Running through August 9, the deals are now officially open to everyone, meaning shoppers can access some of the biggest markdowns of the season without needing Nordstrom cardholder status.
    — Camila Quimper, Footwear News, 20 July 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 21 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of challenging for Spanish Speakers

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