challenging
Americanadjective
-
offering a challenge; testing one's ability, endurance, etc.
a challenging course;
a challenging game.
-
stimulating, interesting, and thought-provoking.
a challenging suggestion.
-
provocative; intriguing.
a challenging smile.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- challengingly adverb
- nonchallenging adjective
- unchallenging adjective
Etymology
Origin of challenging
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, as a gerund; 1835–45 for sense of "testing one's ability"; challenge ( def. ), -ing 2 ( def. )
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.
Mountain rescue teams accompanied by the coastguard helicopter and a search and rescue dog team were involved in searches for the 42-year-old in challenging conditions.
From BBC
Despite challenging times for the trade, he is still optimistic about the future of it, sparked by a change in the ages of shoppers over recent years.
From BBC
Thanking everyone who has supported the campaign, including Helen Grant MP, she added: "This journey has been emotional, challenging, and at times overwhelming, but it has never been just my fight."
From BBC
The Taliban government does not allow easy access to foreign journalists, and verifying information, particularly from border areas, is even more challenging.
From BBC
The route involves navigating extremely challenging terrain, significant exposure, steep pinnacles and drops on both sides.
From BBC
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.
