Synonyms of challenging

challenging 1 of 2

adjective

ˈcha-lən-jiŋ 

1

as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort

an exceptionally challenging brainteaser

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difficult
• tough
• rigorous
• demanding
• hard
• formidable
• complicated
• heavy
• rough
• rugged
• strenuous
• arduous
• exhausting
• effortful
• testing
• severe
• uphill
• grueling
• tall
• intricate
• sweaty
• complex
• painful
• laborious
• exacting
• backbreaking
• murderous
• killer
• herculean
• gruelling
• problematic
• serious
• toilsome
• stiff
• problematical
• tricky
• elusive
• annoying
• stressful
• pick-and-shovel
• involved
• hellacious
• stubborn
• brutal
• troublesome
• oppressive
• grim
• thorny
• abstract
• burdensome
• onerous
• trying
• tight
• moiling
• abstruse
• bruising
• Augean
• insoluble
• recondite
• knotty
• irksome
• hairy
• opaque
• ticklish
• strict
• vexatious
• labored
• bothersome
• distressing
• taxing
• stringent
• spiny
• cruel
• grievous
• inhuman

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• easy
• simple
• light
• soft
• effortless
• clear
• undemanding
• cheap
• facile
• manageable
• achievable
• doable
• mindless
• elementary
• uncomplicated
• smooth
• gentle
• comforting
• soothing
• relaxed
• accessible
• painless
• friendly
• user-friendly
• idiotproof

2

as in demanding

requiring much time, effort, or careful attention

a challenging test designed to whittle down the number of contestants

Synonyms & Similar Words

• difficult
• demanding
• tough
• arduous
• hard
• burdensome
• onerous
• laborious
• exacting
• grueling
• gruelling
• taxing
• formidable
• killing
• strenuous
• toilsome
• testing
• persnickety
• rigorous
• oppressive
• trying
• rough
• rugged
• stiff
• herculean
• stringent
• strict
• severe
• rigid
• stern

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• light
• undemanding
• easy
• simple
• unchallenging
• smooth
• nondemanding
• effortless
• facile

challenging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of challenge

1

as in questioning

to demand proof of the truth or rightness of

don't hesitate to challenge any statement that generalizes about people

Synonyms & Similar Words

• questioning
• contesting
• disputing
• doubting
• impeaching
• calling into question
• querying
• protesting
• calling in question
• oppugning
• opposing
• resisting
• combatting
• mistrusting
• fighting
• kicking (about)
• combating
• objecting (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accepting
• believing
• supporting
• embracing
• defending
• swallowing
• backing
• promoting
• advocating
• enduring
• championing
• tolerating
• abiding
• stomaching

2

as in daring

to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat

I challenge you to swim to the other side of the pond

Synonyms & Similar Words

• daring
• confronting
• stumping
• defying
• braving
• breasting
• facing
• brazening
• outbraving
• bearding
• outfacing

3

as in requiring

to have as a requirement

having to put up with an overbearing boss challenges forbearance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• requiring
• needing
• taking
• wanting
• demanding
• involving
• necessitating
• claiming
• calling for
• warranting
• asking
• bearing
• lacking
• entailing
• begging
• crying (for)
• insisting
• hurting (for)
• clamoring (for)
• enjoining
• exacting
• pressing
• commanding
• stipulating
• questing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• having
• holding
• possessing
• owning

Examples of challenging in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The sense there is light at the end of the tunnel was communicated to us by numerous sources and while things are of course still highly challenging, strategies felt more secure. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024

Penning an article on Women's Health, the new mom revealed that the good news came after a challenging fertility journey that included two unsuccessful rounds of vitro fertilization (IVF) before a successful third round. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024

Finding clean water is challenging, marauders roam the land, and some of the humans who remain have resorted to unthinkable behaviour, like cannibalism. —Hazlitt, 23 Oct. 2024

Attending a cocktail party sounds fun and all, but finding suitable cocktail attire for men is, well, a tad bit challenging. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2024