demanding 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈman-diŋ How to pronounce demanding (audio)
Definition of demandingnext
1
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention the demanding assignment kept them working all night long

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exacting
hard to please will play before a demanding audience of music critics, who are not easily impressed

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3
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort the demanding task of reading and grading student compositions

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demanding

2 of 2

verb

present participle of demand
1
as in requiring
to ask for (something) earnestly or with authority the losing party demanded a recount of the votes cast in the election

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2
as in needing
to have as a requirement a task that demands one's unremitting attention

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in asking
to set or receive as a price superstars of the big screen who demand millions for appearing in a movie

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demanding
Adjective
Stretch materials accommodate increasingly demanding movement. — Michelle Edgar, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026 The contestants train under Dorian Fylnt, a hilariously demanding choreographer portrayed by SNL host and New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson. — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 27 Sep. 2026
Verb
The last nationwide high school protest movement on this scale demanding more funding came in the 1990s. — Reuters, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2026 Maricarmen set the spark Tens of thousands of people periodically march in major cities demanding action from lawmakers and blaming real estate speculators as well as tourist apartment platforms like Airbnb for rising rents. — Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for demanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demanding
  1. challenging
  2. exacting
  3. difficult
  4. requiring
  5. needing
  6. asking
  7. careful
  8. tough
Adjective
  • Until now, scientists could measure the total phosphorus preserved in ancient rocks, but determining the share that was actually available to marine life remained challenging.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Alas, its path appears quite challenging, given that Digger earned a C+ CinemaScore from audiences and holds a 51 percent approval from reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of challenging
Adjective
  • Known for his exacting, couture-like approach, and an experimental zeal rare among designers at Europe’s largest luxury brands, the Frenchman got his start in fashion by filing, photocopying and cataloguing fabrics at Jean Paul Gaultier.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Every place on this list has been vetted and endorsed, again and again, by the world’s most exacting travelers.
    — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 23 July 2026
Definition of exacting
Adjective
  • Finding people at high risk of incubating the Bundibugyo virus, also known as contact tracing, has proved difficult in Congo.
    — CONSTANT SAME BAGALWA, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • McKinsey’s data says some of those moves can be difficult for certain workers.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of difficult
Verb
  • By contrast, a patient with dangerously low sodium levels requiring an ICU stay, frequent lab checks, and carefully titrated IV fluids undoubtedly does use more resources.
    — Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Building conventional simulations for robot testing can be time-consuming and costly, Taiuti said, requiring developers to create three-dimensional objects and configure scenes.
    — Wen Shao, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of requiring
Verb
  • The 0-3 Chargers visit Seattle on Sunday needing a turnaround; only seven teams in the Super Bowl era have started 0-3 and still reached the playoffs.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Future uses for the approach include any number of stronger, lighter structures and materials needing protection from vibration and shaking.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of needing
Verb
  • That same day, at least one student received a disciplinary notice asking them to schedule a meeting with the student conduct administrator in less than two weeks.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • One example would be asking the agent to book a medical appointment.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of asking
Adjective
  • Democratic congressional candidates will also need to be careful about balancing partisan messages to their base with more measured appeals to independent voters.
    — Julio Borquez, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
  • But perhaps the biggest challenge of all was being extremely careful not to pass moral judgment on the story or any of the characters being portrayed.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • Now, Germino says her social media presence is all about giving other patients going through the same tough decision an example of someone who’s thriving after the procedure.
    — Kara McGrath, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's administration is about to start tough budget negotiations against a backdrop of division and economic turmoil.
    — Chloe Taylor,Jenni Reid, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of tough

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Cite this Entry

“Demanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demanding. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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