demanding
Hard to satisfy
Demanding describes something that requires significant effort, skill, or attention: a demanding job, a demanding schedule.
A demanding person expects a lot from others and won't settle for less: She's a demanding boss, but fair.
The word suggests taxing rather than impossible—challenge that strains but doesn't necessarily exceed capacity.
Depleting one's stamina
- gruelingExtremely tiring and demanding
- strenuousRequiring intense exertion
- toughDurable and strong
- laboriousRequiring considerable effort
taxing · backbreaking · onerous · burdensome · punishing · arduous · toilsome · wearisome
Requiring much effort
- complexHaving many interconnected parts
- exactingDemanding great care
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
- dauntingDiscouraging through difficulty
testing · rigorous · intricate · sophisticated · advanced · technical · specialized · skilled
Too fond of directing others
- commandingExerting strong authority
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- imperiousArrogantly authoritative
- autocraticRuling with absolute authority
dictatorial · overbearing · peremptory · high-handed · authoritarian · masterful · tyrannical · controlling
One demanding flawlessness
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
- exactingDemanding great care
- fastidiousExcessively attentive to detail
- particularSpecific or fussy
finicky · fussy · scrupulous · punctilious · detail-oriented · precise · thorough · critical
Firmly demanding attention
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- adamantStubbornly refusing to yield
- resoluteFixed in purpose
- doggedStubbornly persevering
tenacious · relentless · unrelenting · pressing · urgent · importunate · clamoring · nagging
Time limit for completion
- burnoutChronic occupational depletion
- high-stakesInvolving significant consequences
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- urgencyPressing need for action
expectations · workload · overtime · fast-paced · cutthroat · competitive · hectic · stressful
exhausting
Depleting one's stamina
laborious · taxing · backbreaking · onerous · burdensome · punishing · arduous · toilsome · wearisome · draining
difficult
Requiring much effort
- complexHaving many interconnected parts
- exactingDemanding great care
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
daunting · testing · rigorous · intricate · sophisticated · advanced · technical · specialized · skilled · ambitious
bossy
Too fond of directing others
- commandingExerting strong authority
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- imperiousArrogantly authoritative
autocratic · dictatorial · overbearing · peremptory · high-handed · authoritarian · masterful · tyrannical · controlling · insistent
perfectionist
One demanding flawlessness
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
- exactingDemanding great care
- fastidiousExcessively attentive to detail
particular · finicky · fussy · scrupulous · punctilious · detail-oriented · precise · thorough · critical · nitpicking
insistent
Firmly demanding attention
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- adamantStubbornly refusing to yield
- resoluteFixed in purpose
dogged · tenacious · relentless · unrelenting · pressing · urgent · importunate · clamoring · nagging · unceasing
deadline
Time limit for completion
- burnoutChronic occupational depletion
- high-stakesInvolving significant consequences
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
urgency · expectations · workload · overtime · fast-paced · cutthroat · competitive · hectic · stressful · overwhelming
- bossy traitsdomineering, overbearing, pushy, controlling, micromanaging
- exhaustingdraining, taxing, tiring, exhausting, fatiguing
- question tonescurious, skeptical, doubtful, probing, inquisitive
- strictsevere, stern, harsh, rigid, firm
- toddler behaviortantrums, whining, pouting, saying no, defiance
- challengeschallenge, difficult, hard, challenging, tough
demandingeasy
Requiring minimal effort
effortless · undemanding · simple · unchallenging · nondemanding
demandinglenient
Tolerant of faults
easygoing · easy-going · undemanding · unexacting · permissive
demandingeasygoing
Relaxed in temperament
easy-going · laid-back · relaxed · undemanding · low-maintenance
- demanding bossExacting workplace superior