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
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
Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2025
The fashion mogul has long been considered the inspiration for Streep's demanding and elegant character in the film.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2025
The government shut down on Wednesday after Democrats and Republicans in the Senate failed to reach a funding deal, with Democrats demanding an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demanding
Adjective
Leaf raking is more eco-friendly as well as more physically demanding and time-consuming.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2025
The fashion mogul has long been considered the inspiration for Streep's demanding and elegant character in the film.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
The players argued the league refused to credibly bargain a new CBA by demanding terms that would mean less money shared with players.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2025
The government shut down on Wednesday after Democrats and Republicans in the Senate failed to reach a funding deal, with Democrats demanding an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demanding
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, my nephew, who’s 7, is down for a more challenging build like the Star Wars Paz Vizsla and Moff Gideon Battle set, which is currently $23 off.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Taking the creative helm of Chanel as only the fourth artistic director to ever lead the house, Blazy has been entrusted with one of the biggest and most sought-after — although perhaps not the most challenging — jobs in fashion.—
Fiona Sinclair Scott,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Another essay in the collection, written by Sarah Maitland, is more exacting.—
Anna Bruno
September 19,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The watch is offered in exceptional condition, preserved in line with the most exacting standards of connoisseurship, the auction house said.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
For once, the bulk of the anger was directed not at Fosun — the investment group and majority shareholder – and the Molineux hierarchy who have conspired to deal Pereira a difficult hand, but at the head coach himself and his players.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Romancelandia’s social world, harnessed by its business-minded authors, may make its success exceedingly difficult to replicate.—
Rebecca Ackermann,
The Atlantic,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Lapses in concentration and learning when to jump out of defence are areas Newcastle have been working on, while the recruitment team identified his one-versus-one defending and his off-the-ball decision-making around his own penalty box as requiring refinement.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
At its longest, the transformation process took over three hours, requiring Breckenridge to be outfitted with a prosthetic forehead piece, two cheek pieces, a nose piece, as well as fake eyebrows, a mustache, a beard, and a wig.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Remove Cobwebs on the Ceiling If your friendly neighborhood spiders have been building webs in the corners of your house, grab the Swiffer to swat them away without needing to haul out the step ladder.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
8 Oct. 2025
-
What’s especially unique about the tiny home though, is the ability to customize the entire space without needing to hire a contractor.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Donovan isn’t asking Giddey or Kevin Huerter to transform into elite one-on-one defenders.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Advocates recommend reaching out and asking them to explain the denial.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
These treatments require careful and ongoing monitoring.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Lammens was perhaps fortunate to escape sanction then (Stuart Atwell booked the forward for diving), but this was a valuable occasion ahead of tougher tests, beginning at Anfield.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
There will be some tough picking in there, but typically the predicting business gets a little easier in region play.—
Tyler Palmateer,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demanding. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share