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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.

But the California senator said he is committed to challenging Trump’s maneuvering.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Scientists have long tried to address this imbalance, but it has proven challenging.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

"This is extremely difficult – perhaps one of the most challenging tasks."

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

“We have long argued that it has been challenging to see much earnings power here in large part due to these SCIPs,” Arcuri said in a Wednesday note.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

Tradition called for me to provide a kind of gentle light, flattering the president with my devotion, flattering the nation primarily by not challenging it.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.