1
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
the demanding assignment kept them working all night long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exacting
hard to please
will play before a demanding audience of music critics, who are not easily impressed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
the demanding task of reading and grading student compositions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in needing
to have as a requirement
a task that demands one's unremitting attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demanding
Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Some of those ticketholders sued the Astros claiming fraud and demanding refunds.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2025
PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
Senate Democrats have refused to vote for a short-term measure to fund the government, demanding Republicans restore cuts to Medicaid and Obamacare that the Congressional Budget Office says will cost 10 million people their health insurance.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demanding
Adjective
Keaton takes on a role that could have been all cliché — that of a new mother trying to balance a demanding job with caring for a 14-month-old — and imbues it with such relatable honesty.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
Some of those ticketholders sued the Astros claiming fraud and demanding refunds.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
The Photoshop scores were just as stark, with the M5 MacBook Pro leading the pack by a solid 1,700 points, underscoring its power for demanding professional workflows.
—PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
Senate Democrats have refused to vote for a short-term measure to fund the government, demanding Republicans restore cuts to Medicaid and Obamacare that the Congressional Budget Office says will cost 10 million people their health insurance.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demanding
Adjective
-
The stalemate over funding in Washington comes at a challenging time for the more than 40 million Americans carrying education debt.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
21 Oct. 2025
-
According to construction manager John Kearns, the oceans swells became too challenging, moving the barge too much for the crane to operate safely.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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These methods, while less exacting, are also woefully undemocratic, allowing lawmakers to act independently from and against the interests of the American public.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Another essay in the collection, written by Sarah Maitland, is more exacting.—
Anna Bruno
September 19,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
These events encourage community members to dispose of hazardous materials like gasoline, oil, chemicals, and more, which can be difficult to dispose of and pose a safety risk if not handled correctly.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Don't Look Now manipulates audiences' minds, mixing elements of the occult with the overwhelming need for hope into a plot twist audiences will find difficult to swallow.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Under Senate rules, Ingrassia, White House liaison to the Department of Homeland Security, can lose only three Republican votes before requiring Vice President JD Vance to cast a tiebreaker, assuming unanimous Democratic opposition.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Peace lilies can go through growth spurts in spring or summer, requiring more frequent watering.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even minor problems, like needing regulator approval to modify a component midway through, can lead to long delays and can cause borrowing costs to skyrocket.—
Brad Plumer,
New York Times,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Walmart, America’s largest private-sector employer, is pausing job offers to foreign candidates needing H-1B visas to work in the United States, a company spokesperson told CNN.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Post-pandemic demand and chronic underbuilding in the area have left buyers competing fiercely, often bidding tens of thousands above asking.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
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The listing notes West was initially asking $16,995,000, but does not disclose a final sale price.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This careful tiptoeing is probably because the scissor artwork was never meant to be sold at a wider scale.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Falcons' offense has emerged as one of the toughest in the league, causing multiple turnovers a game.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
-
How self-reflection operates matters because it will always be needed to make wiser choices about our toughest challenges.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demanding. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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