demanding
dih-MAHN-dihng
Demanding (adjective) means requiring a lot of effort, skill, or patience. Example: “Training for a marathon is a demanding task that takes months of discipline.”
adjective
1
Requiring a lot of effort, skill, or patience.
"This bike is built to withstand even the most demanding terrain."
"Training for a marathon is a demanding task that takes months of discipline."
"Looking after three young children is a demanding job."
"Nursing is a physically and emotionally demanding job."
2
Expecting a high standard from others and not easily satisfied.
"The chef was a demanding man who sent dishes back if they were slightly cold."
"Our demanding customers expect an answer within the hour."
"Her demanding boss expected replies at all hours."
How to use demanding
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that takes a lot out of you, or someone who expects a lot from others.
Common pairings
a demanding job
a demanding boss
physically demanding
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Word forms
- Plural
- demandings
- Comparative
- more demanding
- Superlative
- most demanding
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Training for a marathon is a _____ task that takes months of discipline.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
undemanding
Related words
Rhymes for demanding
landing
handing
sanding
standing
branding
upstanding
commanding
outstanding
understanding
grandstanding
notwithstanding
misunderstanding
See all rhymes for demanding →
Frequently asked questions
What does “demanding” mean?
The word “demanding” means requiring a lot of effort, skill, or patience. In plain terms, something that takes a lot out of you, or someone who expects a lot from others.
How do you pronounce “demanding”?
“Demanding” is pronounced dih-MAHN-dihng (/dəˈmændɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “demanding” in a sentence?
Here is “demanding” used in a sentence: “Nursing is a physically and emotionally demanding job.”
What is the opposite of “demanding”?
The opposite of “demanding” — its antonyms — is undemanding.
What part of speech is “demanding”?
“Demanding” is an adjective.
Is “demanding” a common word?
“Demanding” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “demanding” have?
“Demanding” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: requiring a lot of effort, skill, or patience.
What is the difference between "demanding" and "challenging"?
Both describe tasks that require effort, but "challenging" often carries a positive sense of a rewarding test of ability, while "demanding" stresses that something requires a lot of effort, skill, or patience and can feel draining. A challenging project can be enjoyable, whereas a demanding one emphasizes the heavy toll it takes.
What is the difference between a "demanding" person and a "demanding" job?
A "demanding" job is one that requires a lot of effort, skill, or patience, while a "demanding" person expects high standards from others and is not easily satisfied. The same word describes either the workload of a task or the high expectations of a person.
What is the difference between "demanding" and "strict"?
"Strict" means firmly enforcing rules and discipline, while "demanding" means expecting a high standard and being hard to satisfy. A strict person insists on obedience to rules, whereas a demanding person keeps pushing for better results.
Is calling someone "demanding" a compliment or a criticism?
Describing a person as "demanding" is usually mild criticism, suggesting they expect a high standard from others and are not easily satisfied. Applied to a task, however, "demanding" is more neutral and simply means it requires considerable effort or skill.
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