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Showing results for demanding. Search instead for demasting.
Synonyms

demanding

American  
[dih-man-ding, -mahn-] / dɪˈmæn dɪŋ, -ˈmɑn- /

adjective

  1. requiring or claiming more than is generally felt by others to be due.

    a demanding teacher.

  2. calling for intensive effort or attention; taxing.

    a demanding job.


demanding British  
/ dɪˈmɑːndɪŋ /

adjective

  1. requiring great patience, skill, etc

    a demanding job

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of demanding

First recorded in 1520–30; demand + -ing 2

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."

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Vocabulary lists containing demanding

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.

But as artificial intelligence grows more demanding, the limits of electron-based hardware are becoming harder to ignore.

From Science Daily • May 19, 2026

But last year, Louisiana filed a suit in federal court demanding the rule’s return.

From Slate • May 18, 2026

“This all assumes the systems can be produced at high enough yields to be deployed at scale for highly demanding customers, which we understand has yet to happen.”

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

Ortiz continued to bicker with Dillman later in the day when he tried to schedule a future hearing in the case for July, demanding he “do it sooner.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

The new ciphers were not as demanding as those she had cracked earlier in the war, and they did not yield much in the way of vital intelligence.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

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