1
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
the demanding assignment kept them working all night long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exacting
hard to please
will play before a demanding audience of music critics, who are not easily impressed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
the demanding task of reading and grading student compositions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in requiring
to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority
the losing party demanded a recount of the votes cast in the election
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in needing
to have as a requirement
a task that demands one's unremitting attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in asking
to set or receive as a price
superstars of the big screen who demand millions for appearing in a movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demanding
Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The exterior of the house is where the tasks get physically demanding — and where your help matters most.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
The plaintiffs are demanding that Cento bears the cost of the class notice and pays $25 million or more to the class members.
—Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for demanding
Adjective
After all, the bankruptcy code is a technically demanding area of federal law, and courts extend little leniency to filers who make procedural mistakes.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The exterior of the house is where the tasks get physically demanding — and where your help matters most.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
Francis had made reaching out to migrants and refugees a hallmark of his papacy, and Leo has followed suit by demanding dignified treatment of migrants, especially in his native United States.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
The plaintiffs are demanding that Cento bears the cost of the class notice and pays $25 million or more to the class members.
—Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for demanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demanding
Adjective
-
But as challenging as these cases can be, the I-Team found the fight for workers' comp when a firefighter is battling cancer can be even more complicated.—
Ginger Allen,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
Corporations benefit from the best talent without having to hire them, which is challenging and expensive.—
Anis Uzzaman,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
The moral complexities of the story – based on true events – are particularly well underlined by the exacting visual style and strong performances.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Loznitsa’s methods are grim and exacting, but the effect is never monotonous; there are shivers of Hitchcockian suspense, plus a whispery cackle of satire that veers toward the Kafkaesque.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Combining all of this in one material has been difficult because thermal control and signal control rely on very different properties.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
-
Despite the removal of material, the architecture can result in a busy design and potentially make reading the time difficult.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
This approach enables the development of catalysts that achieve higher efficiency while requiring smaller amounts of precious metals, improving both performance and material economy.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
3 May 2026
-
But by December, as the holidays approached, the Clarks welcomed shoppers who, despite the rules requiring masks, gloves, social distancing and a plexiglass cover at the register up front, happily chose food and gifts to bring home.—
Emily M. Olson,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Many reviewers, including petite shoppers, note that the pants hit at just the right length without needing alterations, and the inseam works well with both flats and heels.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
-
The one-day trial showed that a laser system can be set up quickly without needing complicated work in a shipyard.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
This is the kind of invention that is going to become increasingly important in an economy that is asking more of the physical world.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
6 May 2026
-
There’s something deeply American about the constant push between frustration and hope, between asking what the hell is going on and still believing there's something worth fighting for.—
Time,
Time,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 May 2026
-
Through some careful engineering, Roberts, Alito, and their allies have created a trap for voting-rights cases.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Chase Meidroth made a shuffle toss to second base for a force out, but the Sox couldn’t complete what would have been a tough double play.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Our legislators must make some tough decisions; avoiding the issues is not acceptable.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demanding. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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