challenging
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.difficult in a way that tests your ability or determination.
adj.demanding considerable effort, skill, or endurance, often with the implication of being stimulating or worthwhile.
Simple“The hike was challenging because the path was very steep and rocky.”
In context“The board of directors faced a challenging fiscal year, requiring them to restructure the entire department while maintaining employee morale.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
n.the act of questioning something or testing someone's skills.
n.the action of disputing a statement or testing the boundaries of a rule or ability.
Simple“His challenging of the referee's decision led to a long argument on the field.”
In context“The legal team's persistent challenging of the evidence eventually forced the prosecution to drop the most serious charges.”
SynonymsAntonyms
Usage challenging situation
“He has become more forgetful, for instance, but takes consolation in knowing he can still produce challenging, original art.”
“While vaccinating wild birds is challenging, it was considered possible in Victoria’s wild little penguins because they generally return to the same burrows at Phillip Island and St Kilda each night.”
From Middle English chalengynge; equivalent to challenge + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.