TAXING Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

taxing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtak-siŋ

Definition of taxing

as in challenging

requiring much time, effort, or careful attention a very taxing workload that is taking a lot of time to finish

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

taxing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of tax

as in stretching

to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress your constant arguing is starting to tax my patience

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 taxing

Adjective

The problem is, watching their children is very taxing. — R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 4 June 2026 This work can be so emotionally heavy and taxing, and there are many moments where the needs are definitely greater than the resources available. — Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026

Verb

Some stances, including ending economic aid to Israel and taxing billionaires, have high levels of support within the Democratic voter base. — Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 The Indiana General Assembly gave taxing powers this year to the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation, or IPEC, a new school oversight body. — Aleksandra Appleton, IndyStar, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for taxing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for taxing

Adjective

Eric Loucks, the director of the Mindfulness Center at Brown, pointed out that a person can have a challenging experience during meditation and still find their overall meditation practice to be beneficial.

— Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
For something more hands-on, Atlanta Motorsports Park in Dawsonville has a challenging kart circuit where karts can reach 50 mph or more.

— Chris Teague, AJC.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of challenging

Verb

Cinnamon ferns form hummocks, with tightly wound fiddleheads stretching upwards toward the sun, just beginning to unfurl into emerald fronds.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
The base of the light cone will start near Cancer, resting just above the horizon, stretching upward through Gemini, and reaching high into the predawn sky toward Taurus.

— Jules-Pierre Malartre, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of stretching

Adjective

That night, somewhere between a racist stranger, a free dessert, my girlfriend publicly shaming a man in a Mediterranean restaurant and our demanding cat, the City of Angels started to feel like home.

— Mayur Chauhan, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
And the longer or more demanding the workout, the more important such fuel becomes.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of demanding

Verb

Gauff knocked the ball into a rectangular expanse of blue, as Jović stood in the doubles alley and doubled over to her knees, trying to catch her breath.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
If someone dominates the conversation, redirect attention to what the group is trying to accomplish.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of trying

Adjective

Being undefeated after a trio of difficult opening matches can only be seen as a positive, even if Newcastle’s obvious shortcomings require addressing if that run is to be prolonged.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Engineers need flight data on propulsion, aerodynamics, thermal management, guidance and other subsystems under conditions that are difficult to reproduce on the ground.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of difficult

Verb

Ukraine, meanwhile, has extended its own long-range drone campaign deep into Russia, straining air defenses across its bigger neighbor's vast territory.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
This is Ohtani’s first time on the IL since straining his oblique at the end of his tenure with the Los Angeles Angels in 2023.

— Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of straining

Verb

By contrast, Fulham are pushing both full-backs on, while only the deepest midfielder (and occasionally Alex Iwobi on the left) are nearby to protect the centre-backs if the ball is lost.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Over the years, oil chemistries have gotten more sophisticated to cope with the stresses of tinier engines pushing bigger boost while also mitigating their environmental impact.

— Adam Ismail, The Drive, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of pushing

Verb

Mounting household debt is testing President Javier Milei’s support ahead of the 2027 election, as Congress weighs relief measures and critics warn his hands-off stance could alienate once-enthusiastic young voters.

— Débora Rey, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
By means-testing communities instead of individuals, the program has a population-wide reach.

— Mona Hanna, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of testing

Browse Nearby Words

taxiing

taxing

taxis

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“Taxing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taxing. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of taxing

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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