Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Requiring the full application of one's abilities, attention, or resources.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective requiring full use of one's abilities or resources.
  • adjective disposed to or engaged in defiance of established authority.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Present participle of challenge.
  • adjective Difficult, hard to do.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective stimulating interest or thought
  • adjective disturbingly provocative
  • adjective requiring full use of your abilities or resources

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • It was perhaps an understatement, but the evaluation continued, “The word challenging appears to personify this individual, who may well view life in terms of overcoming obstacles and challenges, even if he has to create them artificially . . .”

    Every Breath You Take Ann Rule 2000

  • Can you talk -- I think at the end of the day, '11 was up about 4% and so I'm just wondering, you mentioned the word challenging and volatile many times on this call.

    unknown title 2012

  • When you find yourself reaching for the word "challenging" to describe your dinner and wanting to shout: "Who put all the bloody mushrooms in my pudding?"

    Restaurant review: Viajante 2012

  • Linford greeted him coolly, and Louis looked him directly in the eye, his expression challenging.

    The Year of Living Scandalously Julia London 2010

  • Linford greeted him coolly, and Louis looked him directly in the eye, his expression challenging.

    The Year of Living Scandalously Julia London 2010

  • The president's admission that our economy faces what he called challenging times does little to ease the plight of working men and women and their families in this country.

    CNN Transcript Mar 17, 2008 2008

  • It's what I call challenging the soft bigotry of low expectations.

    CNN Transcript Aug 29, 2007 2007

  • Focus on costs bolsters National Australia Bank with strong quarterly earnings report NATIONAL Australia Bank has reported cash earnings for the June quarter of $1.4 billion in what it described as "challenging operating conditions".

    NEWS.com.au | Top Stories 2011

  • Embotelladoras Arca has booked a drop in profits in what it described as a challenging period for the beverage industry.

    Beverage news - from just-drinks.com 2010

  • After what he calls a challenging regular-season schedule, the Indians are battle-tested and ready to step up to an even higher level of competition, Morgan said.

    tcpalm.com Stories Laurel Pfahler 2010

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