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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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
The Navy confirmed that Aviles is enlisted and serves aboard the USS Lincoln, where his physically demanding duties include moving aircraft on the ship. — Safiyah Riddle, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 For people with physically demanding schedules, convenience may matter even more. — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
Back on track, Wagoner begins the next verse, demanding to know what Parton has done with the rent money. — Stephanie Vander Wel, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026 Lanterns wastes little time explaining this backstory ad nauseam and instead creates an immediately inviting dynamic between him and Hal, who comes to him demanding information on Manhunters. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 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
  • For the healthcare providers in attendance, the party — which featured games and activities for the kids — is a chance to see the real-life impact of their often emotionally challenging work.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Because of the challenging terrain, the bridges are designed to be constructed without heavy machinery.
    — Fatma Tanis, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of challenging
Adjective
  • 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
  • Loathe have always been committed to self-production (their 2017 debut is their only album that credits an outside co-producer), but A Stranger to You begs for more exacting supervision.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
Definition of exacting
Adjective
  • The losses linked to the demise of these groups are difficult to quantify, but participants and advocates say the impacts will reverberate across federal agencies for years.
    — Katia Riddle, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Ground surveys can provide more detailed information at a particular site, but covering an entire subway corridor that way would be difficult.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of difficult
Verb
  • The Federal Transit Administration says violent crimes requiring medical attention, or resulting in death, happened on MARTA nearly twice as often as the national average since October 2023.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Meta may end up subjecting its users, regardless of age, to age verification practices that may include requiring a government ID and biometric scans.
    — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of requiring
Verb
  • When exposed to warmth, this shape-memory alloy contracts sharply, converting thermal energy directly into a powerful mechanical pulling force without needing an electric motor.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The organization has six locations throughout Indiana, with 179 people total still needing shelter.
    — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of needing
Verb
  • Organizations often compete for the same experienced talent rather than asking who is creating the capability everyone wants to hire.
    — Sheila Callaham, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Four baby goats from a North Carolina mobile petting zoo tested positive for rabies and were euthanized, and health officials are asking anyone who may have had contact with them to reach out for possible treatment.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of asking
Adjective
  • Getting to that point required careful control of stress during fabrication.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Huntsinger, playing along with Variety’s should-win/will-win Emmy prediction game, drew a careful line.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • Space-grade electronics will cost more, and the ball’s shell—made from a material tough enough to roll over steel shards and withstand minus 184 °C temperatures—has never been evaluated in lunar extremes.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Democratic leaders face tough decisions on where to spend limited party resources to win the Senate majority.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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