challenging

adjective

chal·​leng·​ing ˈcha-lən-jiŋ 

1

: arousing competitive interest, thought, or action

a challenging course of study

a challenging job

2

: invitingly provocative : fascinating

a challenging personality

challenging questions

challengingly

ˈcha-lən-jiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• arduous
• Augean
• backbreaking
• demanding
• difficult
• effortful
• exacting
• formidable
• grueling
• gruelling
• hard
• heavy
• hellacious
• herculean
• killer
• laborious
• moiling
• murderous
• pick-and-shovel
• rigorous
• rough
• rugged
• severe
• stiff
• strenuous
• sweaty
• tall
• testing
• toilsome
• tough
• uphill

Examples of challenging in a Sentence

I find the job challenging and fun.

Teaching is challenging but rewarding work.

It's a challenging book that requires careful reading.

The slope was challenging for even the most experienced climbers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Gracefully opting out Navigating the discomfort of setting boundaries around gift-giving traditions can be challenging. —Julianna Bragg, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024

Choosing the best baked ham online can be challenging—there are glazed and non-glazed options, spiral-cut and whole, boneless and bone-in, and large or small hams. —Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2024

The hospitality industry grapples with a challenging post-pandemic recovery and mounting environmental pressures. —Christopher Marquis, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

These winds can cause significant damage, increase the frequency of wildfires, and make firefighting efforts more challenging, while also posing aviation hazards and creating turbulent surf conditions. —Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see challenge entry 1

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1