challenging

adjective

chal·​leng·​ing ˈcha-lən-jiŋ How to pronounce challenging (audio)
Synonyms of challengingnext
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 adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Aston Villa on Wednesday is followed by an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Liverpool on Saturday and another challenging assignment against Brentford a week later. Andy Naylor, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026 The topics can range from a big decision on the horizon, to how to handle a challenging team dynamic; and one to three times annually, the pair meets in person for full-day sessions, delving into the Knix founder’s childhood, as well as her future career goals. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026 Furthermore, Boonray’s autonomous solutions are now in use at 30 mining projects across China, tackling a wide range of ore types and challenging operating conditions. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026 Playing 40 minutes of perhaps unfamiliar material before getting to the hits sounds challenging and, to be sure, some of the more lubricated audience members sat in stunned silence. Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for challenging

Word History

Etymology

see challenge entry 1

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of challenging was in 1841

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Challenging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/challenging. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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