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Definition of challenging

challenging

/ˈtʃæl.ɪn.dʒɪŋ/
chal · leng · ing
Adverb:challengingly
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challenging Lexical Profile

challenging Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Testing one's abilities or resources in a demanding but often stimulating way; difficult.

Example

"The professor assigned a challenging research project that required weeks of careful analysis."

2

Inviting or provoking a dispute, confrontation, or questioning of authority.

Example

"She gave the committee a challenging look before presenting her counterargument."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for challenging

• Nearby Words

challengeable
challenged
challenger
challenging
challengingly
chalta
chalupa

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed from the verb 'challenge', which entered Middle English via Old French 'chalenge' from Latin 'calumnia' (meaning 'trickery' or 'false accusation'), combined with the participial suffix '-ing'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Challenging. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/challenging
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