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.
"Emergency services were faced with a really challenging and difficult scene here last night in the dark, with multiple causalities and with multiple vehicles involved."
From BBC
Now 38, the former marine engineer's most remote and challenging role by far is his current job as the station leader at the Halley VI Research Station in Antarctica.
From BBC
England started the tournament with genuine hope of challenging reigning champions France for the title.
From Barron's
Concerns about their welfare were first raised on Wednesday which prompted a search by mountain rescue teams despite "challenging" conditions.
From BBC
Altadena’s status as an unincorporated town can make it more challenging to focus blame across a more dispersed county government, but the group said it also wanted to make sure any political ramifications were warranted.
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.
