- present participle of challenge.
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
Etymology
Origin of challenging
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, as a gerund; 1835–45 for sense of "testing one's ability"; see challenge ( def. ), -ing 2 ( def. )
Explanation
If something is challenging, you better bring your "A game." It isn't going to be easy but you will get to test your skills as you push yourself, like completing a challenging crossword puzzle or a challenging hike up a mountain. Another meaning of challenging is "causing to question values or assumptions," like a challenging movie that makes you re-evaluate your attitude about something. In other words, it challenges what you believe. People sometimes use challenging as a polite — and far more positive — substitute for troublesome or problematic, as in, "This challenging situation will require everyone's patience."
Vocabulary lists containing challenging
Academic Vocabulary Toolkit 1, Words 11-20
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Towers Falling
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Persuasive and Assertive Tones
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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.
Reducing harm from climate change is a challenging endeavor, and it requires comprehensive public education.
From Science Daily • Sep. 20, 2023
However, it certainly sounds like you are dealing with some feelings that would make parenthood, marriage, or any other challenging endeavor infinitely more challenging.
From Slate • May 21, 2021
Yet, convincing people to get a vaccine is a challenging endeavor.
From Scientific American • Jan. 18, 2021
It will be a challenging endeavor because of limited salary-cap space and the fact that the Seahawks have depleted their supply of draft picks to offer in deals.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 26, 2020
A more rewarding, albeit more challenging, endeavor is occurring in Houston, where the Astros have reshaped stars into superstars.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2019
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.
