Word
demanding
Phoneticsde·mand·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈmændɪŋ/
UK/dɪmˈɑːndɪŋ/
Definitions
01requiring effort
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. needing a lot of your time, energy, or patience.
adj. requiring significant endurance, physical strength, or mental focus to complete successfully.
“Being a nurse is a very demanding job because you are on your feet all day.”
“The mountain climb was physically demanding, requiring the team to maintain a steady pace despite the thinning air and steep terrain.”
Usage
Often used to describe jobs, schedules, or physical activities.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02difficult to satisfy
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. expecting a lot from other people and being hard to please.
adj. setting extremely high standards for quality or performance; difficult to satisfy due to rigorous expectations.
“The chef is very demanding and expects every plate of food to look perfect.”
“The client was notoriously demanding, frequently requesting last-minute revisions that challenged the design team's creative limits.”
Usage
Commonly describes bosses, customers, or parents.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “demanding” in context.
Real-World Examples
“More than a month later, though, Wells’ family is still demanding answers.” “The union is demanding various measures to reduce workload, summarised as seven key demands .” Etymology
From demand + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/demanding