5
stubborn(adjective, defiant)
4
antagonizing(verb, adjective, opposing, disagreeing, oppositional)
4
confrontational(adjective, stimulating, defiant, provoking, oppositional)
4
contradicting(verb, opposing, confuting, counteracting)
4
crossing(verb, adjective, opposing, oppositional, defying)
4
dissenting(verb, adjective, defiant, disagreeing, defying)
4
exhausting(adjective, hard, tough, difficult, awkward)
4
inspirational
4
interfering(verb, adjective, opposing, oppositional, counteracting)
4
intriguing
4
laborious(adjective, great, tough, severe, difficult)
4
rigorous(adjective, difficult, awkward, thorough, demanding)
4
significant(adjective, importance, valuable, main, notable)
4
stiff(tough, severe, painful, demanding, problematic)
4
stimulating(adjective, moving, inspiring, encouraging, motivating)
3
braving(verb, confronting)
3
counterattacking(verb, adjective, opposing, oppositional)
3
hard(adjective, great, tough, difficult, awkward)
3
hindering(verb, adjective, opposing, oppositional)
3
impeding(verb, adjective, opposing, oppositional)
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APASmart Define. (2016). challenging thesaurus. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/challenging/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2016. "challenging thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/challenging/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 22, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2016, challenging thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/challenging/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "challenging thesaurus" 2 March 2016. Web. 22 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/challenging/thesaurus/synonyms>