1
as in challenging
requiring much time, effort, or careful attention
the demanding assignment kept them working all night long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exacting
hard to please
will play before a demanding audience of music critics, who are not easily impressed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
the demanding task of reading and grading student compositions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in needing
to have as a requirement
a task that demands one's unremitting attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demanding
Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The exterior of the house is where the tasks get physically demanding — and where your help matters most.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Meryl Streep, who plays the demanding fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly in the-now franchise, and Anne Hathaway, who plays the young aspiring journalist Andy Sachs, both publicly demured on a sequel for years.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for demanding
Adjective
After all, the bankruptcy code is a technically demanding area of federal law, and courts extend little leniency to filers who make procedural mistakes.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The exterior of the house is where the tasks get physically demanding — and where your help matters most.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
Maybe work is demanding more of you, or a family situation requires your attention when you’re already stretched thin.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Meryl Streep, who plays the demanding fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly in the-now franchise, and Anne Hathaway, who plays the young aspiring journalist Andy Sachs, both publicly demured on a sequel for years.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for demanding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demanding
Adjective
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Last year, Blackstone President and COO Jon Gray also told new analysts that working hard and being collaborative are essential skills for success in today’s challenging job market.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
These Yiddish phrases have gotten me through many challenging situations.—
Gilda Dangot-Simpkin,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The moral complexities of the story – based on true events – are particularly well underlined by the exacting visual style and strong performances.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Loznitsa’s methods are grim and exacting, but the effect is never monotonous; there are shivers of Hitchcockian suspense, plus a whispery cackle of satire that veers toward the Kafkaesque.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But with the Lightning taking back home-ice advantage with this win and the series shifting back to Tampa, where Cooper will have full control of the matchup, the task becomes that much more difficult for the Suzuki line.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The State Tax Commission issued an order in May 2025 requiring the county to cap any property value increases in the 2025 assessment cycle at 15%.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Paschal said this bill takes a different approach than requiring hard verification from users or relying on social media companies to analyze users’ behavior to estimate their ages.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Set one clear agreement, confirm who’s responsible, and follow through so everything stays consistent without needing to be reset later.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
By that point, with the Wild desperately needing a goal from somebody with their season on the line, coach John Hynes had loaded up the top line with Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek and Boldy.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But a sport that has no problem changing longstanding rules to allegedly improve the game shouldn’t be shy about asking fans what’s needed to make going to the ballpark a more enjoyable experience.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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His is a method of ruthless practicality, of taking apart mathematics piece by piece and asking what is necessary.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Detecting such tiny numbers of atoms takes time, and the setup requires careful calibration and advanced equipment.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
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Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Lightly coated with oil and tossed occasionally in a searing hot skillet or wok, even tough beans turn silky, and ready to coat in a finishing blast of chiles.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
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Comfortable travel can be achieved with stretchy, breathable pants, but securing a pair that hits those marks while looking stylish can be tough.—
Rachel Trujillo,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demanding. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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