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
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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
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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demanding
Angelica Ang, Fortune, 22 June 2026
His father, a neurosurgeon, had a demanding schedule, which meant that much of the parenting fell to Mahajan's mother.
—Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 21 June 2026
Averi Harper, ABC News, 24 June 2026
Instead of demanding personal fealty or humiliating them to assert personal dominance, Lincoln absorbed their egos and occasional slights, elevating their talents and turning his fiercest political adversaries into his most devoted champions.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for demanding
Adjective
Png joined Temasek in 2011 after a career at UBS and has held some of the firm’s most demanding roles, including head of financial services and senior managing director for China investments.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 22 June 2026
His father, a neurosurgeon, had a demanding schedule, which meant that much of the parenting fell to Mahajan's mother.
—Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 21 June 2026
Verb
Democratic leaders around the country aren't going to copy-and-paste New York City politics, but these results do reinforce that many Democratic voters are demanding a more aggressive message and messengers.
—Averi Harper, ABC News, 24 June 2026
Instead of demanding personal fealty or humiliating them to assert personal dominance, Lincoln absorbed their egos and occasional slights, elevating their talents and turning his fiercest political adversaries into his most devoted champions.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for demanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demanding
Adjective
-
Keeping your hair looking and feeling shiny can be challenging, but not with this hair kit.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
-
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore said that fighting the fire had been extremely challenging.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
Adjective
-
Alex Ross dives into the œuvre of a thinker whose work was omnivorous, exacting, and hopeful.—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
18 June 2026
-
The restoration required four years of work, during which local artisans carefully restored the frescoes and ceilings in accordance with the most exacting traditional standards.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Some organizers say America's complicated and at times difficult history is being glossed over by fireworks and flag-waving ‒ or that it's being politicized by an administration that has actively worked to advance its version of history.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
-
The move gives Marte another chance to work his way back to the major leagues after a difficult stretch that included a brief stop with the Cincinnati Reds organization earlier this year before a cut.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Analysts see it as a step toward requiring AI developers to take greater accountability for their products.—
Marc Levy,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
-
California, for example, passed a law requiring AI companies to issue risk frameworks, report safety issues and protect whistleblowers.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Almost all patients required hospitalization, with roughly two-thirds of those admitted needing intensive care.—
Faye Chiu,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
-
La Celeste face Spain in their group stage finale, needing a positive result to have a chance at advancing.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
The warning came after a key naval information group had proposed alternative shipping corridors on Saturday, asking shipowners to consider transiting the strait along the southern route with their transponder signals on.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
25 June 2026
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The luxury market typically tops out in the $30-million to $40-million range in Orange County, though some properties are aiming higher, including a San Juan Capistrano ranch asking $85 million and an 11,500-square-foot mansion in Newport Coast listed for $68 million.—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
Adjective
-
China walked a careful diplomatic line during the conflict.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
-
All that plus nightly turndown service and 24-hour room service reflect the careful attention paid to guests at Moon Palace The Grand—Cancun.—
Chelsea Adams,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
McIlroy bogeyed 18 to finish at one under, squarely in the hunt, considering the tough conditions limited scoring.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
-
Parker, a former Eagles assistant, has risen quickly through the NFL coaching ranks and now faces a tough task with a roster full of new faces and high expectations.—
Briana Aldridge,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demanding. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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