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

Turang homered off Tarik Skubal and four Milwaukee relievers shut down the Los Angeles Dodgers after Jacob Misiorowski's taxing outing, sending the Brewers to a 2-1 victory in Game 1 on Sunday night. — CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026 Turang homered off Tarik Skubal and four Milwaukee relievers shut down the Los Angeles Dodgers after Jacob Misiorowski’s taxing outing, sending the Brewers to a 2-1 victory in Game 1 on Sunday night. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for taxing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for taxing

Adjective

As Hispanic Heritage Month continues, one musician at Philadelphia's Curtis Institute of Music is challenging expectations about classical music and the harp.

— Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Naomi Ackie, who plays the scientist charged with Hagen’s experimental procedure, praised how her co-star shouldered what was a very challenging role.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of challenging

Verb

Enter the extrait de parfum, a fragrance with concentration beginning at around 20 percent and stretching as high as 60 percent in some cases, versus typically 15 to 20 percent for an eau de parfum.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
The Fantasy Bra has a long history, stretching back 30 years.

— Max Berlinger, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of stretching

Adjective

The problem, Snegovaya said, is that achieving military autonomy for Europe and Ukraine is extremely difficult in the short term, and Europe has been slow to develop the necessary capabilities.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
Past changes have pushed the glacier into a retreat that may be difficult to reverse, while new modeling suggests scientists may have underestimated how warm seawater reaches beneath it.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of difficult

Verb

Like so many Americans, Jenny Escolastico has watched wearily as the cost of living has risen, straining her household budget.

— Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
The payoff is a system that can handle more energy without straining the rest of the time.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of straining

Verb

Because the switching happens thousands of times a second, the device can hold voltage steady, absorb a disturbance or operate in reverse, pushing power backward from batteries toward the grid.

— Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Those cases were part of a broader movement pushing the limits of who is accountable for a mass shooting.

— Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of pushing

Verb

Exercise also improves the capacity of mitochondria to process energy, in part by stress-testing the system.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Bank of America economist Aditya Bhave says the markets are testing the Fed's pain threshold with the Nasdaq retreating 5% and credit spreads flaring a bit.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Oct. 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 23 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of taxing

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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