challenging
Americanadjective
-
offering a challenge; testing one's ability, endurance, etc.
a challenging course;
a challenging game.
-
stimulating, interesting, and thought-provoking.
a challenging suggestion.
-
provocative; intriguing.
a challenging smile.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- challengingly adverb
- nonchallenging adjective
- unchallenging adjective
Etymology
Origin of challenging
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, as a gerund; 1835–45 for sense of "testing one's ability"; challenge ( def. ), -ing 2 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Government guidelines say schools cannot refuse to give a place to a looked-after child "on the basis of challenging behaviour" and councils will not tolerate "drift and delay".
From BBC
It follows a challenging year that has seen major layoffs, poor sales and increasing development costs for the gaming giant.
From BBC
Speaking in an Instagram video on Monday,, external she paid tribute to her surgeon for saving her leg and described the injury as "the most extreme, painful and challenging" of her career.
From BBC
The Northern Ireland star, who had struggled all week to get to grips with Riviera's challenging greens, said his main reaction was to tell his caddie "it saves us from putting."
From Barron's
“The pins were a lot more challenging than the first three days,” Bridgeman said.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
