The scores are low because the task is cognitively demanding.
Source: tatoeba (23663)
Demanding
/dəˈmændɪŋ/
Synonyms for "demanding" (228 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (46)
Adjective(14 words)
advanced chemistry courseadvanced lab exerciseadvanced materialarduousarduous activityaskchallengingchallenging behaviorschewycognitivecognitive taskcollege-level problemcomputational complexitycritical reasoning
Verb(1 words)
Strong matches (68)
difficultdourdrainingdunningexactexactingexigentexorbitantexquisiteextortionatefinefinicalfinickingfinickyformidablefussygraspinggrievousgrimhairy
Show 17 more words
Noun(14 words)
difficult decisioneducational difficultyemotional stressenforcement of precise ruleexhaustingexpert levelextremely difficultforced march traininggrading standardhard to dohonors physics courseshonors physics programinsistingintense emotion
Adjective(16 words)
difficult readingdifficult taskemotional burdenenergy-demandingentailexactinggreat exertionharderheavy blockheavy workloadheavy-dutyhigh standardshigh-gradehigh-intensityinsistintense energy
Verb(1 words)
forcing reading
Related words (114)
knottedknottylaboriousloudmeanmeticulousminutenaggingnarrowniceno picnicnot easyofficiousonerousoperoseoppressiveovercriticalpainfulparticularperfectionist
Show 48 more words
persistentpertinaciouspesteringplaguingpreciseprecisianisticprecisionisticpressingpunctiliouspunctualpunishingrefinedreligiousrigidrigorousroughruggedscrupulousscrutinizingselectiveset with thornsseverespartanspartanicspinysqueamishsteepsternstraitstrenuousstrictstringentsubtlesuperincumbenttaxingteasingthornyticklishtoilsometoughtrickytryingunsparinguphillurgentweightywheedlingwicked
Noun(16 words)
literary criticismload capacitymath challengemath challengingmore challenging tasksovertaxingpressuringpunishingreading skillsacrificingstraining energystrenuous exertiontaxyingtiringtoilinguniversity-style exercise
Adjective(25 words)
mental exhaustionnecessitateneedyonerousparticularpetulantpickyrequirerigorousrigorous analysisrigorous approachrigorous corroborationstiffeststrenuousstrenuous workoutstressfulstrictsweatiersweatytaxing course load
Show 5 more words
Determiner(1 words)
more honors physics
Adjective(1 words)
Verb(3 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: abstruse, accurate, acquisitive, advanced chemistry course, advanced lab exercise.
- Sentence evidence is available for demanding, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, derived_reverse, opengloss.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "demanding".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "demanding"
Keep "demanding" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "demanding" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "demanding", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "demanding" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
7 entriesMore specific
13 entriesaccurate datademand actiondemand an apologydemand attentiondemand paymentdifficult taskhigh expectationsprecise measurementsreliable sourcesrigid requirementsrigid standardsrigorous assignmentstringent criteria
Collocations
12 entriesdemand explanationdemand letterdemand paymentdemanding taskdemanding workloadhigh demandhigh standardspublic demandrigorous assignmentstrict requirementsstrong demandtight deadline
Inflections
4 entriesDerivations
3 entriesAntonyms
1 entriessimilar
12 entriesSample sentences
13 total sentences available.
Kate broke his heart by rudely demanding he go away.
Source: tatoeba (62741)
They are demanding shorter working hours.
Source: tatoeba (307688)
Taking care of the excretory needs of a patient you've just met is a very demanding job.
Source: tatoeba (328117)
Showing 4 of 13 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "demanding"?
Closest matches include abstruse, accurate, acquisitive, advanced chemistry course, advanced lab exercise.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "demanding"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.