demanding 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈman-diŋ How to pronounce demanding (audio)
Definition of demandingnext
1
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention the demanding assignment kept them working all night long

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exacting
hard to please will play before a demanding audience of music critics, who are not easily impressed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort the demanding task of reading and grading student compositions

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

demanding

2 of 2

verb

present participle of demand
1
as in requiring
to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority the losing party demanded a recount of the votes cast in the election

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in needing
to have as a requirement a task that demands one's unremitting attention

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in asking
to set or receive as a price superstars of the big screen who demand millions for appearing in a movie

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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 demanding
Adjective
The top-to-bottom strength of the nation's two preeminent conferences, particularly the SEC, means most programs in those leagues have a reasonably demanding slate. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Although Godflesh still has a final album to announce, Broadrick is already refocusing his creative efforts on music that’s less physically demanding, specifically for his Jesu and JK Flesh projects. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
By tackling uneven, demanding outdoor surfaces, the DR02 is positioned as a platform capable of performing more complex tasks in real-world settings. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026 Nobody is demanding that Orange County commit nearly $1 billion today. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for demanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demanding
  1. challenging
  2. exacting
  3. difficult
  4. requiring
  5. needing
  6. asking
  7. careful
  8. tough
Adjective
  • The champion faced a challenging opponent, as Garry forced him to work hard for seven takedowns and inflicted some facial damage.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The current outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo Ebola virus, is unfolding in some of the most challenging conditions imaginable.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of challenging
Adjective
  • Every place on this list has been vetted and endorsed, again and again, by the world’s most exacting travelers.
    — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 23 July 2026
  • Loathe have always been committed to self-production (their 2017 debut is their only album that credits an outside co-producer), but A Stranger to You begs for more exacting supervision.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
Definition of exacting
Adjective
  • The shortcomings of Usman and Dvalishvili, future Hall of Famers, only point to how difficult the historic mark was to reach.
    — Mark Puleo, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The Teamsters have been enthusiastically endorsing the bill specifically because, while 40-something employers would be difficult to collectively bargain against, DSP workers would be much easier to organize once within Amazon.
    — Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of difficult
Verb
  • States however, have stepped in to regulate what banks do with that interest, with several states requiring that a portion of the interest generated from mortgage escrow accounts be returned to the homeowner paying into the account.
    — P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The park was scheduled to open last year, but was delayed when winter rains caused two major landslides along its cliffs, requiring significant shoring up to keep an emergency access route open.
    — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of requiring
Verb
  • That grief may be tied to major losses, such as no longer being able to travel or work, as well as quieter daily changes like needing more sleep or being unable to walk as far as before.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Ricky Pearsall is done for the season after swelling in his right knee led to needing surgery to reconstruct his PCL.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of needing
Verb
  • In practice, Mamdani, who claims to loathe oligarchy and big business, is asking Amazon to destroy over 40 small businesses and subsume their economic power.
    — Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
  • As Sportico detailed last year, McEnroe remembers MSG employees asking Oakley to leave and Oakley responding by swearing at them.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of asking
Adjective
  • Kurz said that the field team put careful consideration into selecting each site.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Steve Bardens/Getty Images Brighton & Hove Albion must be careful that the chill of winter does not arrive much earlier than normal for them this season in the Conference League.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • Coventry, for example, face Manchester City away in Gameweek Three, while some of the teams worth targeting early like Manchester United, Chelsea and Sunderland have tougher fixtures in Gameweeks Three or Four.
    — Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • This summer has seen a confluence of challenges, including excessive heat that allows food contamination to grow and a pathogen that’s particularly tough to pin down.
    — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of tough

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Cite this Entry

“Demanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demanding. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on demanding

Nglish: Translation of demanding for Spanish Speakers

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