Challenging

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈt͡ʃæl.ɪn.d͡ʒɪŋ/

Definitions

1. Entailing endeavors that call for significant exertion and skill, indicating scenarios that present obstacles necessitating tenacity and resourcefulness, and characterizing activities that demand rigorous engagement and thoughtful resolution
2. Requiring considerable effort and advanced abilities to overcome difficulties or obstacles in tasks or situations, testing one’s determination and problem-solving capacities
3. Involving situations or tasks that present considerable difficulty and require persistence, skill, and strategic thinking to successfully navigate or accomplish

Etymology: "Challenging" is simply "challenge" with the suffix "-ing" attached, the same ending found in words like "frightening" or "interesting". The adjective traces back to Middle English "chalengynge", and its root, "challenge", came into English through Anglo-Norman and Old French "chalenge", ultimately from Latin "calumnia", meaning false accusation or trickery, a sense that survives only faintly in the modern verb. The word's journey from accusation to obstacle is the interesting part. "Challenge" first carried legal and combative senses, such as calling someone to answer for a claim or to fight. Over centuries the notion of issuing a demand softened into the idea of a demanding task, so a challenging job is one that tests the person doing it rather than one that calls them to a duel.

Synonyms: difficult, demanding, tough, arduous

Antonyms: easy, simple, effortless