1
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
the demanding assignment kept them working all night long
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exacting
hard to please
will play before a demanding audience of music critics, who are not easily impressed
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
the demanding task of reading and grading student compositions
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in needing
to have as a requirement
a task that demands one's unremitting attention
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demanding
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2025
The court ruled for the government by a 6-to-3 vote, accepting its expertise even after ruling that the law was subject to strict scrutiny, the most demanding form of judicial review.
—Adam Liptak, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Jack Kelly, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Seek funding sources like crowd financing, angel investors, family, and friends who can offer capital and expertise without demanding control.
—Dileep Rao, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for demanding 
Adjective
In a friend-of-the-court brief, the Biden administration argued the law is subject to the most demanding form of judicial scrutiny.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2025
The court ruled for the government by a 6-to-3 vote, accepting its expertise even after ruling that the law was subject to strict scrutiny, the most demanding form of judicial review.
—Adam Liptak, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
Amazon Says Striking Drivers Are Not Employees The Teamsters have established 20 bargaining units across multiple Amazon facilities and are demanding that the company officially recognize these unions at each location.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Seek funding sources like crowd financing, angel investors, family, and friends who can offer capital and expertise without demanding control.
—Dileep Rao, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for demanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demanding
Adjective
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Shakira has had a challenging time since splitting from her ex Gerard Piqué.—
Ilana Kaplan,
People.com,
3 Feb. 2025
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But the alternative—growing real red blood cells outside the body—has proved even more challenging.—
Nicola Twilley,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Ko enters this week with 22 victories and as only the 25th player to earn the requisite 27 points in arguably the most exacting Hall of Fame qualification system in sports.—
Edgar Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2025
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And his budgets, then as now, tended to reflect more exotic materials and more exacting processes.—
Ian Parker,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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And these kinds of difficult conversations may have to continue for months—maybe years.—
Jonaki Mehta,
NPR,
30 Jan. 2025
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Challenges of an Airline Pilot's Lifestyle Beyond the technical demands of the job, Wallach said the most difficult part of being a pilot was the lifestyle—particularly as a single parent.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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California's Regulatory Actions California revised its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) targets, now requiring that 60% of electricity be generated from renewable sources by 2030, as a step towards its 2045 goal of 100% clean energy.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
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In Florida, Our Children’s Trust brought its latest case because there still are provisions in the law requiring state agencies to prioritize renewable energy, Rodgers said.—
Amy Green,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The new series of the British crime drama opens with a disturbing mystery, when the death of an elderly woman found in a cave has the team asking what drives a person to murder someone so vulnerable.—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Dec. 2024
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But no one seemed all that interested in asking or talking about it Thursday, which makes this as good a time as any to revisit The Athletic’s midseason predictions for the Panthers.—
Joseph Person,
The Athletic,
27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Leopold cautioned immigrants of any religious, national or ethnic background to be careful traveling.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Jan. 2025
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Bass has employed a more careful and conciliatory tone.—
Julia Wick,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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That included a couple of tough inside baskets while drawing fouls.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2025
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But fortunately for the Jayhawks, this game is at Allen Fieldhouse — a tough place for away teams to come and win games.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Hamilton County Coroner's Office is requesting help finding the relatives of a man who died this week.—
Erin Couch,
The Enquirer,
24 Dec. 2024
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By letter of December 13, the court accelerated the briefing schedule, requesting a final response by December 19.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Demanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demanding. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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