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.
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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.
Further, radar also doesn’t show the names of other ships, making communication, coordination and maneuvering to avoid collisions challenging.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026
World number one Sinner was the heaviest favourite for the men's title since the great Rafael Nadal in 2009, with no-one coming close to challenging him on the clay in recent weeks.
From BBC • May 28, 2026
"I believe, and the futures market is showing us, oil will be lower than pre-conflict levels," he said -- while admitting that the economy is "challenging now."
From Barron's • May 28, 2026
It also has created a far more challenging environment for consumers, who are left wondering if they will be able to watch what they want without having to pay for something else.
From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026
“Nonsense, the public setting is half the fun! It brings in so many restrictions, so many challenging parameters to work around.”
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
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.
