challenging

[chal-in-jing]

adjective

1. offering a challenge; testing one's ability, endurance, etc.

   a challenging course;

   a challenging game.

2. stimulating, interesting, and thought-provoking.

   a challenging suggestion.

3. provocative; intriguing.

   a challenging smile.

ˈchallenging

/ ˈtʃælɪndʒɪŋ /

adjective

1. demanding or stimulating

   a challenging new job

Other Word Forms

• challengingly adverb
• nonchallenging adjective
• unchallenging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ˈchallenging¹

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

On first glance, these do seem to be “daunting and challenging.”

From Los Angeles Times

The administrators previously said the stores had become too expensive to maintain amidst rising rents, with retailers facing "challenging times".

From BBC

Jim MacLeod, 24, his older brother Glen and a friend had climbed the challenging mountaineer’s route, which ascends the east face.

From Los Angeles Times

“We know that rate changes are challenging for customers,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Trying to get a precise figure from government officials is challenging, to put it mildly, but I understand from sources it's about £600,000.

From BBC

Related Words

• ambitious 
• arduous 
• burdensome 
• crucial 
• demanding 
• laborious 
• onerous 
• painful 
• problematic 
• severe 
• strenuous 
• tough 
• troublesome