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

But in more challenging economic times, homeowners are seeking ways to make upgrades without breaking the bank. —Janeé Bolden, Essence, 4 Apr. 2025

And the small launch business has proven to be economically challenging. —ArsTechnica, 4 Apr. 2025

Assessing type A skills of collaboration solely from resumes can be challenging. —Ming-Chien Chyu, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Having a terminal diagnosis is challenging but also clarifying. —Ashley M. Wilcox, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see challenge entry 1

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1