demanding
Americanadjective
-
requiring or claiming more than is generally felt by others to be due.
a demanding teacher.
-
calling for intensive effort or attention; taxing.
a demanding job.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of demanding
Explanation
Something that's demanding calls for more work or skill than the typical task. Babysitting might seem like an easy job, but depending on the kids it can actually be incredibly demanding. A demanding job might require a lot of physical work, like farming, or a lot of patience and diplomacy, like being a teacher or a marriage counselor. When a person is described as demanding, it usually means that he or she has very high standards or is especially hard to satisfy. The word comes from the Old French demander, "to request or demand," by way of the Latin demandare, "entrust."
Vocabulary lists containing demanding
Prince (1958-2016) Tribute List
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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.
Protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, whom they hold responsible for a series of exam irregularities that have shaken confidence in India's education system.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
More than 4,500 Google workers signed a petition demanding protections such as voluntary exit packages and guaranteed severance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
Novo Nordisk sent a cease-and-desist letter to Eli Lilly in April, demanding that the company suspend the advertising, but said it didn’t receive a response.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
Several thousand people took to the streets on Monday night demanding "justice for Abderrahim Fakir".
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
He sent White an urgent telegram demanding an explanation.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
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.
