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Definitions

challenging

[chal-in-jing] / ˈtʃæl ɪn dʒɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
ambitious
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arduous bold demanding difficult energetic grandiose impressive visionary
WEAK
elaborate exacting formidable hard industrious lofty pretentious severe strenuous
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm easy facile weak
WEAK
content fulfilled satisfied unassuming
ADJECTIVE
defiant
Synonyms
WEAK
aggressive audacious bold contumacious daring gutsy insolent insubmissive insubordinate mutinous obstinate provocative rebellious recalcitrant reckless refractory resistant resistive sassy truculent
Antonyms
WEAK
acquiescent obedient respectful submissive submitting subordinating
ADJECTIVE
difficult
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ambitious arduous burdensome crucial demanding laborious onerous painful problematic severe strenuous tough troublesome
WEAK
backbreaker bothersome difficile easier said than done effortful exacting formidable galling gargantuan hard-won heavy herculean immense intricate irritating labored no picnic not easy operose problem prohibitive rigid stiff titanic toilsome trying unyielding uphill upstream wearisome
Antonyms
STRONGEST
easy effortless facile helpful nice trivial
WEAK
calm free friendly manageable plain simple sociable straightforward uncomplicated
ADJECTIVE
formidable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arduous intimidating onerous powerful tough tremendous
WEAK
all-powerful ballbuster colossal effortful hard labored laborious mighty overpowering puissant rough staggering strenuous toilsome tough proposition uphill
Antonyms
STRONGEST
easy facile ineffective insignificant little small unimportant weak
WEAK
feeble friendly harmless not hard trivial
ADJECTIVE
inquisitive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
analytical nosy
WEAK
big-eyed forward impertinent inquiring inquisitorial interested intrusive investigative meddlesome meddling peering personal poking presumptuous probing prying questioning scrutinizing searching sifting snooping speculative
Antonyms
WEAK
incurious indifferent unconcerned uninterested
ADJECTIVE
provocative
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disturbing exciting inspirational insulting offensive outrageous
WEAK
annoying galling goading heady incensing inciting influential intoxicating provoking pushing spurring stimulant stimulating
Antonyms
STRONGEST
pleasing
WEAK
repressive suppressive unexciting unprovocative unstimulating
ADJECTIVE
quickening
Synonyms
STRONG
animating appealing arousing bracing electrifying energizing enlivening exhilarating gripping inspiring interesting invigorating moving rousing stirring thrilling titillating vitalizing vivifying
WEAK
adrenalizing breathtaking hair-raising hectic lively provocative spine-tingling thought-provoking
Antonyms
STRONG
boring depressing discouraging dull unexciting unstimulating upsetting
ADJECTIVE
reinvigorating
Synonyms
STRONG
appealing arousing bracing electrifying energizing exhilarating gripping inspiring interesting intoxicating invigorating moving refreshing renewing rousing stimulating stirring thrilling titillating
WEAK
adrenalizing breathtaking exhilarant hair-raising hectic innerving lively provocative restorative roborant spine-tingling thought-provoking
Antonyms
STRONG
boring depressing discouraging dull unexciting unstimulating upsetting
ADJECTIVE
renewing
Synonyms
STRONG
appealing arousing bracing electrifying energizing exhilarating gripping inspiring interesting intoxicating invigorating moving refreshing reinvigorating rousing stimulating stirring thrilling titillating
WEAK
adrenalizing breathtaking exhilarant hair-raising hectic innerving lively provocative restorative roborant spine-tingling thought-provoking
Antonyms
STRONG
boring depressing discouraging dull unexciting unstimulating upsetting
ADJECTIVE
roborant
Synonyms
WEAK
adrenalizing appealing arousing bracing breathtaking electrifying energizing exhilarant exhilarating gripping hair-raising hectic innerving inspiring interesting intoxicating invigorating lively moving provocative refreshing reinvigorating renewing restorative rousing spine-tingling stimulating stirring thought-provoking thrilling titillating
ADJECTIVE
stimulating
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appealing exhilarating hectic inspiring interesting invigorating lively provocative thought-provoking thrilling
STRONG
arousing bracing electrifying energizing gripping moving rousing stirring titillating
WEAK
adrenalizing breathtaking hair-raising spine-tingling
Antonyms
STRONGEST
boring depressing discouraging dull unexciting unstimulating upsetting
ADJECTIVE
vitalizing
Synonyms
STRONG
animating appealing arousing bracing electrifying energizing enlivening exhilarating gripping inspiring interesting invigorating moving quickening rousing stirring thrilling titillating vivifying
WEAK
adrenalizing breathtaking hair-raising hectic lively provocative spine-tingling thought-provoking
Antonyms
STRONG
boring depressing discouraging dull unexciting unstimulating upsetting
ADJECTIVE
vivifying
Synonyms
STRONG
animating appealing arousing bracing electrifying energizing enlivening exhilarating gripping inspiring interesting invigorating moving quickening rousing stirring thrilling titillating vitalizing
WEAK
adrenalizing breathtaking hair-raising hectic lively provocative spine-tingling thought-provoking
Antonyms
STRONG
boring depressing discouraging dull unexciting unstimulating upsetting

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.

Now the company’s plans to emerge from chapter 11 bankruptcy by early summer have gotten more challenging.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

A day earlier, Goldman Sachs downgraded the stock to Sell from Neutral, citing elevated expectations and challenging valuation.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

“With Saul and even with ‘Nobody,’ slipping into that guy’s skin is a little challenging.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Detecting this unusual behavior has proven extremely challenging.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

The music education methods of Orff, Dalcroze, Kodály, etc., offer easily implemented solutions to add layers of cognitively challenging musical activities to something as simple as a song.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Vocabulary lists containing challenging

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Towers Falling

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Persuasive and Assertive Tones

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