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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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
Stopping the spread of measles in undervaccinated communities will depend on the challenging task of building vaccine confidence among parents of young children. — Kathryn H. Jacobsen, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026 But the Canucks need to maintain a baseline level of competitive and structural integrity, even in the midst of what’s likely to be a challenging campaign. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
Saildrone has operated unmanned vessels for maritime missions since 2013, giving the company more than a decade of experience with autonomous operations in challenging environments. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026 China's dominant and highly concentrated supply chain makes replacing components challenging for US manufacturers. — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 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
  • The California Board of Pharmacy in 2025 reversed course on regulations that would have made the supplement more difficult to acquire after pushback from some firefighters.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Striking out on her own was a difficult transition, but embracing her solitude gave her the space to learn more about herself and make her own personal decisions, such as getting her cat or making meals of her choosing.
    — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • These quick tests reveal fine detail, dimensional accuracy, and whether the printer is over- or under-exposed, providing a consistent baseline before evaluating more demanding real-world prints.
    — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The squad underwent intensive work in Portugal, where players generally had one long, demanding morning session, before being given time to recover, often with yoga and massages.
    — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of demanding
Verb
  • McDonald, his black Atlanta Braves baseball cap folded and laid on the witness box, frequently shifted uncomfortably during questioning about the specific activities of other people involved in the gangs.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Warsh also declined, as is his policy, to provide forward guidance, leaving analysts questioning whether the central bank would follow through with hikes.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of questioning
Verb
  • Aboard was Katalyst Space's LINK spacecraft, tasked with a daring mission to save NASA's Swift telescope.
    — David Szondy August 20, New Atlas, 21 Aug. 2026
  • There’s an almost defiant tone now, as if daring me to tell her to quit.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of daring
Verb
  • Gobillard hopes to complete the harvest at the estate in about nine days, a job requiring around 120 workers recruited mostly from across France and Poland.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Projects expected to have significant regional impacts are required to go through the DRI process to help local governments with infrastructure planning, but the agency only began requiring that large solar projects participate last year.
    — Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of requiring
Adjective
  • With men on first and third and nobody out that inning, second baseman Jackson Holliday fielded a tough grounder and threw to second, but shortstop Gunnar Henderson dropped the ball for an error and everyone was safe.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • As for footwear sales in the region, the second quarter saw a slowdown of sales of high-heat product, alongside tougher comparatives and ongoing softness in end-of-cycle footwear product lines.
    — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of tough
Verb
  • Now, Jeanie is contesting her siblings’ effort to sell the family’s remaining stake to Iger and Kushner.
    — Law Murray, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Last year, a group of local taxpayer advocates filed a lawsuit to block a general sales tax measure in Santa Clara County, while also contesting the ballot measure text.
    — Grace Hase, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of contesting
Verb
  • For now, Neda, a 34-year-old Tehran resident struggling with kidney disease and needing medication, is holding her breath as she is once again forced to buy only half of her monthly dose.
    — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Choose one expressive outlet, polish one detail, and let joy strengthen your confidence without needing outside approval first.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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