challenging
/ˈtʃalɪn(d)ʒɪŋ
/adjective
1Testing one’s abilities; demanding: challenging and rewarding employment the current challenging economic environment...
- Terror films stimulate the development of cognitive strategies for coping with challenging circumstances.
- The nine-mile route with 4000 ft of climb is a challenging proposition.
- The evaluation of suicide risk is a challenging clinical task.
Synonyms
demanding, testing, taxing, exacting, exigent, searching;
stretching, exciting, stimulating, inspiring, energizing, inspirational;
difficult, tough, hard, heavy, stiff, formidable, onerous, arduous, laborious, burdensome, strenuous, gruelling
1.1Inviting competition; provocative: there was a challenging glint in his eyes...
- Elizabeth must have seen the skeptical look on his face for her right eyebrow raised in a challenging gesture.
- In neither case did Millet's portrayal of rural labor or his challenging style mark the painting's worth.
- Never shy about belting out R-rated language, he enjoys challenging staff members on issues, even at parties.
Synonyms
dare, summon, invite, bid, throw down the gauntlet to, defy someone to do something
Derivatives
challengingly
- What is, on paper, a primarily interior experience, stumbles on film with a clunky visual style that remains merely literal instead of challengingly literary.
- And, more challengingly still, he wants the security response to take place ‘within rights’ rather than in opposition to them.
- They don't bash their heads against the divider - they just splay their fins and the little ruff around their neck, and stare challengingly at one another.