Synonyms of demanding

demanding 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈman-diŋ 

1

as in challenging

requiring much time, effort, or careful attention

the demanding assignment kept them working all night long

Synonyms & Similar Words

• challenging
• difficult
• tough
• burdensome
• exacting
• onerous
• arduous
• hard
• laborious
• killing
• taxing
• grueling
• toilsome
• strenuous
• formidable
• persnickety
• testing
• rigorous
• oppressive
• trying
• stringent
• strict
• stiff
• rugged
• severe
• stern
• rough
• herculean
• rigid

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• undemanding
• light
• easy
• nondemanding
• simple
• unchallenging
• smooth
• effortless
• facile

2

as in exacting

hard to please

will play before a demanding audience of music critics, who are not easily impressed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exacting
• careful
• particular
• nice
• finicky
• picky
• fussy
• choosy
• fastidious
• persnickety
• pernickety
• delicate
• finical
• selective
• dainty
• meticulous
• finicking
• fussbudgety
• critical
• old-maidish
• discriminating
• discerning
• painstaking
• overdemanding
• scrupulous
• insightful
• knowledgeable
• punctilious
• hypercritical
• faultfinding
• petulant
• captious
• peevish
• touchy
• overcritical
• squeamish
• ultrafastidious
• prissy
• queasy
• hyperfastidious
• carping
• prickly
• prim
• caviling
• niminy-piminy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• undemanding
• flexible
• low-pressure
• carefree
• lackadaisical
• relaxed
• loose
• affable
• lax
• lenient
• breezy
• permissive
• unfussy
• unfastidious
• uncritical
• laid-back
• devil-may-care
• happy-go-lucky
• undiscriminating
• indiscriminating

3

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort

the demanding task of reading and grading student compositions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• challenging
• difficult
• tough
• rigorous
• hard
• formidable
• complicated
• heavy
• effortful
• exacting
• rugged
• strenuous
• sweaty
• rough
• severe
• arduous
• exhausting
• testing
• tall
• murderous
• backbreaking
• grueling
• intricate
• laborious
• complex
• painful
• uphill
• killer
• stiff
• herculean
• serious
• toilsome
• problematic
• pick-and-shovel
• annoying
• elusive
• involved
• moiling
• hellacious
• burdensome
• oppressive
• stubborn
• trying
• onerous
• brutal
• strict
• stressful
• Augean
• tricky
• abstract
• troublesome
• tight
• stringent
• bruising
• grim
• thorny
• insoluble
• abstruse
• hairy
• taxing
• labored
• vexatious
• irksome
• knotty
• opaque
• bothersome
• distressing
• ticklish
• recondite
• cruel
• spiny
• inhuman
• grievous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• simple
• light
• undemanding
• soft
• effortless
• cheap
• clear
• mindless
• elementary
• facile
• manageable
• achievable
• uncomplicated
• doable
• gentle
• smooth
• comforting
• soothing
• relaxed
• accessible
• painless
• friendly
• user-friendly
• idiotproof

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• requiring
• requesting
• commanding
• claiming
• asking
• wanting
• exacting
• needing
• enjoining
• calling (for)
• pressing (for)
• insisting (on)
• clamoring (for)
• taking
• necessitating
• imposing
• stipulating (for)
• questing
• warranting
• harassing
• pleading (for)
• crying (for)
• requisitioning
• hounding
• badgering
• dunning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• yielding
• giving up
• surrendering
• relinquishing

2

as in needing

to have as a requirement

a task that demands one's unremitting attention

Synonyms & Similar Words

• requiring
• needing
• taking
• wanting
• challenging
• involving
• necessitating
• claiming
• warranting
• calling for
• asking
• begging
• bearing
• entailing
• insisting
• lacking
• crying (for)
• commanding
• exacting
• enjoining
• pressing
• hurting (for)
• clamoring (for)
• stipulating
• questing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• having
• holding
• possessing
• owning

3

as in asking

to set or receive as a price

superstars of the big screen who demand millions for appearing in a movie

Synonyms & Similar Words

• asking
• charging
• commanding
• bringing
• fetching
• selling (for)
• pricing
• overcharging
• discounting
• assessing
• valuing
• undercharging
• billing
• marking up
• marking down
• invoicing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of demanding

Adjective

His youthful face belies his ability to play in one of the most demanding positions on the field, defensive midfield, a spot usually reserved for senior professionals who’ve enjoyed decades of experience. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026

Mortgages have given AngelAi a particularly demanding place to develop. — Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Verb

What began last month as a protest over staff shortages at one high school southeast of Paris spread nationwide, drawing students demanding more funding for education and workers seeking help with soaring costs for fuel and other necessities. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Protesters in the Albanian capital Tirana, who have been demanding better support for education and the prime minister’s resignation, set fire to dumpsters and threw stones and tear gas canisters. — Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026