demanding

adjective

de·​mand·​ing di-ˈman-diŋ 

-ˈmän-,

dē-

: requiring much time, effort, or attention : exacting

a demanding job

demanding customers

demandingly

di-ˈman-diŋ-lē 

-ˈmän-

dē-

adverb

demandingness noun

Synonyms

• arduous
• burdensome
• challenging
• exacting
• grueling
• gruelling
• killing
• laborious
• onerous
• persnickety
• taxing
• toilsome

Examples of demanding in a Sentence

She had a demanding schedule with little free time.

Factory work can be physically demanding.

I have heard it is one of the most demanding courses at the university.

Their boss was really demanding, often expecting them to work long into the night.

Recent Examples on the Web

Furthermore, selling a business is extremely demanding work, so having appropriate incentives in place for the key executives of the business to be divested is imperative. —Raj Sharma, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

For the first time in our nearly 50-year history, a Black actress won our lead performance category — for an exceptionally demanding turn that only someone of Jean-Baptiste’s caliber could pull off. —Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024

But for a lot of people, that's not enough compensation for a job that can be physically and emotionally demanding. —Camille Phillips, NPR, 5 Dec. 2024

The 2,700-passenger ship is the world’s last working ocean liner; unlike cruise ships, the 1,132-foot, 14-deck vessel is designed to make year-round transatlantic crossings in extremely demanding conditions. —Heather Steinberger, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of demand entry 2

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

demanding

adjective

de·​mand·​ing

di-ˈman-diŋ

: making many or difficult demands : exacting

a demanding job

demandingly adverb