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
The Sheriff’s Department typically houses mentally ill prisoners at the Twin Towers, but Magaña’s family claims he was not transferred to a specialized unit within the jail that deals with more challenging cases. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 Collectively the display contributes to enriching knowledge of and challenging conventions on ocean topics. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
The silences formed in the absence of sharing are challenging to capture on the page but when done effectively, readers can become enmeshed in such moments, co-conspirators of the secret. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 Verity holds a challenging 39 percent Rotten Tomatoes score from reviewers. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 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
  • Performances across the board are strong, even if the characterizations themselves are more difficult to embrace.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Making short-haul rail more competitive Parallel argues that its system could open routes that are currently difficult for conventional rail services to serve economically, particularly journeys under 500 miles.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • The researchers plan to continue improving the system and evaluate it on more demanding manipulation tasks.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In civil denaturalization cases, the government generally must prove its case in federal court with clear, unequivocal and convincing evidence, a demanding standard that reflects the importance of citizenship and the consequences of revoking it.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of demanding
Verb
  • Videos first obtained by ABC News showed that Cornell investigators in the following days began questioning witnesses about a potential coverup by the fraternity brothers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There was angst among fans about Suamataia being held from the game, followed by blowback for questioning coach Andy Reid’s decision.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of questioning
Verb
  • Concurrently Vaccarello was designing his own line, launched in 2008, which was distinguished by surgically precise cuts that showcased the body in daring ways.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026
  • That is the logline that greets chefs daring to take on Warner’s 100 Cooks, which found its perfect American host in the shape of Terry Crews.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of daring
Verb
  • By contrast, a patient with dangerously low sodium levels requiring an ICU stay, frequent lab checks, and carefully titrated IV fluids undoubtedly does use more resources.
    — Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Building conventional simulations for robot testing can be time-consuming and costly, Taiuti said, requiring developers to create three-dimensional objects and configure scenes.
    — Wen Shao, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of requiring
Adjective
  • Now, Germino says her social media presence is all about giving other patients going through the same tough decision an example of someone who’s thriving after the procedure.
    — Kara McGrath, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's administration is about to start tough budget negotiations against a backdrop of division and economic turmoil.
    — Chloe Taylor,Jenni Reid, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of tough
Verb
  • Those include Renée Elise Goldsberry as Michael’s former colleague and lover, contesting cases before a rogue’s gallery of quirky judges played by the likes of Jackie Earle Haley, Jackie Hoffman and Peter Riegert.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Ten other candidates are also contesting the presidency, representing parties from across Brazil’s political spectrum.
    — Katie Angell Britannica Editors Oct. 2, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of contesting
Verb
  • The joy of being in DTLA is proximity to transit, putting Santa Monica, Pasadena, and everywhere in between within easy reach without necessarily needing Ubers or a rental car.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • But the paradox of choice can be a headache for companies needing computing power yesterday.
    — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 10 Oct. 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 11 Oct. 2026.

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