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Synonyms

taxing

American  
[tak-sing] / ˈtæk sɪŋ /

adjective

  1. wearingly burdensome.

    the day-to-day, taxing duties of a supervisor.
taxing British  
/ ˈtæksɪŋ /

adjective

  1. demanding, onerous, and wearing

"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

  • taxingly adverb
  • untaxing adjective

Etymology

Origin of taxing

First recorded in 1790–1800; tax + -ing 2

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.

His reasoning hinged on the bedrock constitutional principle that the taxing power—which includes the power to levy tariffs—belongs to the legislature, not the president.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

“Recognizing the taxing power’s unique importance,” the Framers gave Congress alone “access to the pockets of the people.”

From Slate • Feb. 20, 2026

"Holidays are for relaxing, not taxing," the groups wrote in a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

The government has scrambled to boost marriage and fertility rates, offering childcare subsidies and taxing condoms as it grapples with a rapidly ageing population.

From Barron's • Jan. 19, 2026

The journey she’d been on was long and taxing, and the journey she was about to begin was longer.

From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill

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.