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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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
3
as in requiring
to have as a requirement
having to put up with an overbearing boss challenges forbearance
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of challenging
Corina Knoll, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2024
The chance sighting at the restaurant in Altoona led to a break in the challenging but fast-moving investigation five days after the shooting.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 10 Dec. 2024
Jovi Dai, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Douglas County officials said the county has already filed two unrelated lawsuits challenging Colorado’s adoption and application of COBCA.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for challenging 
Adjective
But living on the coast has become more challenging in recent years.
—Corina Knoll, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2024
The chance sighting at the restaurant in Altoona led to a break in the challenging but fast-moving investigation five days after the shooting.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
Recruiting officers remains challenging for the entire region, Trost said.
—Jovi Dai, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Douglas County officials said the county has already filed two unrelated lawsuits challenging Colorado’s adoption and application of COBCA.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for challenging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenging
Adjective
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An at least 200-year-old celebration of French and Mediterranean cuisine, macarons are renowned as the ‘impossible dessert,’ a result of the notoriously involved and difficult baking process.Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024
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The manual entry of damage to structures like bridges used to be very expensive and time-consuming, a complex process made even more difficult by the fact that data entry and analysis are performed by both the agency’s own staff and external companies.Stephanie Glenk, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Furthermore, selling a business is extremely demanding work, so having appropriate incentives in place for the key executives of the business to be divested is imperative.Raj Sharma, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
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For the first time in our nearly 50-year history, a Black actress won our lead performance category — for an exceptionally demanding turn that only someone of Jean-Baptiste’s caliber could pull off.Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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When accusations arise questioning Sara’s intentions to empower the girls, her identity is put in turmoil.Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
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According to a criminal complaint, Mangione began shaking after the question and he was taken into custody for questioning.Liam Quinn, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Here, souls gamble years of their lives with her, daring to outwit Death herself.Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
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Beauty mavens Cassandra Grey of Violet Grey and Tina Craig of U Beauty compared notes on their similarly hued lace dresses, while Tina Leung’s daring catsuit, decorated in a large bow like a holiday present, caused much fanfare too.Freya Drohan, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Equally, what was once culturally relevant can become tired and dated, requiring reinvention (see Old Spice).Tripp Westbrook, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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This would mean that the transition from unicellular to multicellular life was not a leap requiring entirely new genes but rather an evolutionary refinement of existing genetic mechanisms.Scott Travers, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The clients’ storefronts are positioned to succeed in a sometimes tough marketplace by focusing on exclusivity and quality.Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
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In a time when people approach political, social and economic issues with a different set of information and fake news is rampant, the best way to do that is to approach tough conversations with stories rather than facts.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The finding that Israel has perpetrated genocide is a conclusion based on painstaking research and rigorous legal analysis.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
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The legal profession has long been recognized for its rigorous standards and competitive environment.Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Phoenix and Tempe agreed to settle their lawsuits disputing what can be developed on the land east of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 6 Dec. 2024
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Wright’s positions focus more on the economic and practical implications of addressing climate change rather than disputing its existence.Robert Rapier, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Challenging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenging. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
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