Top 38 Slang For Challenging – Meaning & Usage

Challenging tasks and situations can often leave us searching for the right words to describe the experience. That’s why we’ve put together a list of slang phrases and expressions that capture the essence of facing difficult challenges head-on. Whether you’re navigating a tough job, a demanding workout, or a tricky relationship, these slang terms will help you articulate the ups and downs of the journey. So get ready to level up your vocabulary and embrace the excitement of conquering the toughest of challenges!

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1. Tough

This word is used to describe something that is hard to accomplish or endure. It implies a level of resilience and persistence is required.

For example, “Running a marathon is tough, but it’s worth it.”
In a sports competition, a coach might say, “We have a tough opponent today, so give it your all.”
When faced with a challenging task, someone might say, “This is going to be tough, but I won’t give up.”

2. Grueling

Grueling describes something that is extremely physically or mentally demanding, often causing fatigue or weariness.

For instance, “The hike up the mountain was grueling, but the view at the top was breathtaking.”
A student might say, “Studying for finals week is always grueling.”
A trainer might describe a workout as, “Intense and grueling, but it will get you results.”

3. Arduous

Arduous refers to something that requires great effort and is often characterized by difficulty or tedium.

For example, “Writing a research paper can be an arduous task.”
A hiker might say, “The steep climb to the summit was arduous, but the sense of accomplishment was worth it.”
When describing a long and challenging project, someone might say, “It was an arduous journey, but we finally reached our goal.”

4. Rigorous

Rigorous describes something that is thorough, exacting, and demanding in terms of standards or requirements.

For instance, “The training program for the Olympic athletes is rigorous.”
A teacher might say, “I have high expectations and maintain a rigorous curriculum.”
When describing a challenging course, a student might say, “The professor has a rigorous grading system.”

5. Demanding

Demanding refers to something that requires a lot of attention, effort, or skill, often pushing a person to their limits.

For example, “Being a parent is demanding, but it’s also rewarding.”
A boss might say, “This job is demanding, but it will help you grow professionally.”
When describing a tough workout routine, someone might say, “The trainer creates demanding exercises to push us to our limits.”

6. Strenuous

Strenuous refers to something that requires great effort or energy to accomplish. It is often used to describe physical activities or tasks that are difficult or tiring.

For example, “Running a marathon is a strenuous challenge that requires months of training.”
A person might say, “I had a strenuous workout at the gym today.”
In a work setting, someone might describe a project as “strenuous” if it requires long hours and intense focus.

7. Testing

Testing is a slang term used to describe something that is challenging or difficult.

For instance, “The final exam was really testing.”
A person might say, “This puzzle is really testing my patience.”
In a sports context, someone might say, “The opposing team’s defense is really testing our offense.”

8. Formidable

Formidable refers to something that is impressive and often intimidating due to its size, strength, or difficulty.

For example, “The mountain peak was a formidable challenge for even experienced climbers.”
A person might say, “She is a formidable opponent in the debate competition.”
In a business context, someone might describe a competitor as “formidable” if they have a strong market presence and innovative products.

9. Daunting

Daunting describes something that is intimidating or overwhelming in its difficulty or scale.

For instance, “Starting a new business can be a daunting task.”
A person might say, “The amount of work ahead of us is daunting, but I believe we can overcome it.”
In a personal context, someone might describe a challenging life event as “daunting,” such as moving to a new country or starting a family.

10. Herculean

Herculean refers to something that requires exceptional strength, effort, or determination, often beyond what is considered normal or humanly possible.

For example, “Completing the project within the given deadline was a Herculean task.”
A person might say, “She tackled the obstacle course with Herculean strength and agility.”
In a sports context, someone might describe a player’s performance as “Herculean” if they single-handedly carry the team to victory.

11. Taxing

This term refers to something that requires a lot of effort, energy, or mental strain. It suggests that the task or situation is difficult and can be mentally or physically draining.

For example, someone might say, “This project is really taxing my brain.”
When talking about a challenging workout, a person might say, “That exercise routine was really taxing on my muscles.”
A student might complain, “Studying for finals is so taxing, I feel exhausted.”

12. Challenging

This term describes something that is difficult or requires a lot of effort and skill. It implies that the task or situation pushes a person’s abilities and forces them to work hard to overcome obstacles.

For instance, a person might say, “Running a marathon is a challenging feat.”
When describing a difficult puzzle, someone might say, “This crossword is really challenging my problem-solving skills.”
A teacher might say, “I like to give my students challenging assignments to help them grow.”

13. Laborious

This term refers to something that requires a lot of effort and is often tedious or monotonous. It suggests that the task or situation is physically or mentally draining and can be repetitive or time-consuming.

For example, someone might say, “Cleaning the entire house is such a laborious task.”
When talking about a long and complicated process, a person might say, “Filling out all these forms is so laborious.”
A worker might complain, “My job involves a lot of laborious data entry.”

14. Difficult

This term simply means something that is not easy and requires effort, skill, or determination to accomplish. It implies that the task or situation presents obstacles or complexities that may be hard to overcome.

For instance, a person might say, “Learning a new language can be difficult.”
When describing a complex math problem, someone might say, “This equation is really difficult to solve.”
A coach might say, “The team faced a difficult opponent in the championship game.”

15. Trying

This term describes something that is challenging or difficult, often in a way that tests a person’s patience, resilience, or emotional strength. It implies that the task or situation is frustrating or emotionally draining.

For example, someone might say, “Dealing with a toddler’s tantrums can be really trying.”
When describing a difficult period in life, a person might say, “Last year was a trying time for me.”
A teacher might say, “Managing a classroom full of energetic students can be trying at times.”

16. Burdensome

This term refers to something that is difficult or challenging to handle or deal with. It implies that the task or situation is weighing heavily on a person.

For example, “Taking care of a newborn can be burdensome for new parents.”
A student might say, “The amount of homework assigned this week is burdensome.”
Someone might complain, “Dealing with all these deadlines at work is so burdensome.”

17. Oppressive

This slang term describes something that feels suffocating or overpowering, making it difficult to cope with or escape from.

For instance, “The oppressive heat during summer can be unbearable.”
A person might say, “Living under an oppressive government can be extremely challenging.”
Someone might describe a demanding boss as “oppressive” by saying,“oppressive” by saying, “My boss’s constant pressure and unrealistic expectations are oppressive.”

18. Struggling

This term is used to describe someone who is facing difficulties or challenges in a particular area of their life.

For example, “I’m struggling with my finances right now.”
A student might say, “I’m struggling to understand this math problem.”
Someone might admit, “I’m struggling to find a job in this competitive market.”

19. Tricky

This slang term is used to describe something that is not easy to understand, solve, or navigate.

For instance, “This puzzle is really tricky; I can’t figure it out.”
A person might say, “Finding a parking spot in this area can be tricky.”
Someone might describe a complicated relationship as “tricky” by saying,“tricky” by saying, “Navigating the dynamics between us has become really tricky.”

20. Complex

This term is used to describe something that is intricate, involved, or challenging due to its many interrelated parts or aspects.

For example, “Solving this math problem requires a complex understanding of the concepts.”
A person might say, “The plot of this movie is quite complex; it’s hard to follow.”
Someone might describe a difficult decision as “complex” by saying,“complex” by saying, “There are so many factors to consider; it’s a complex situation.”

21. Puzzling

When something is puzzling, it means it is difficult to understand or figure out. It can refer to a situation, a problem, or a person’s behavior.

For example, “The mystery novel had a puzzling ending that left readers guessing.”
A person might say, “I find math problems to be very puzzling.”
In a conversation about a complicated issue, someone might comment, “It’s a puzzling situation that requires further investigation.”

22. Intense

When something is intense, it means it is very strong, powerful, or extreme in some way. It can refer to a physical sensation, an emotional experience, or a challenging situation.

For instance, “The workout was so intense that I could barely walk the next day.”
A person might describe a roller coaster ride as “an intense experience.”
In a discussion about a difficult competition, someone might say, “The level of competition was intense.”

23. Straining

When something is straining, it means it requires a lot of effort, energy, or strength to accomplish. It can refer to physical tasks, mental challenges, or emotional situations.

For example, “Lifting heavy weights can be straining on the muscles.”
A person might say, “Studying for exams can be mentally straining.”
In a conversation about a stressful job, someone might comment, “The constant deadlines and pressure can be emotionally straining.”

24. Nerve-wracking

When something is nerve-wracking, it means it causes a lot of anxiety, tension, or nervousness. It can refer to situations that make a person feel on edge or worried.

For instance, “Giving a presentation in front of a large audience can be nerve-wracking.”
A person might describe a job interview as “a nerve-wracking experience.”
In a discussion about a high-pressure game, someone might say, “The final moments were nerve-wracking for both teams.”

25. Exacting

When something is exacting, it means it requires a lot of precision, accuracy, or attention to detail. It can refer to tasks or situations that require a high level of skill or expertise.

For example, “Performing surgery is an exacting profession that requires years of training.”
A person might say, “Writing code can be an exacting process.”
In a conversation about a challenging puzzle, someone might comment, “The crossword was particularly exacting today.”

26. Rough road

This slang refers to a task or situation that is challenging or tough to navigate. It implies that the road ahead will be bumpy and difficult to traverse.

For example, someone might say, “Starting a business from scratch is a rough road.”
In a discussion about personal growth, someone might mention, “Overcoming past traumas can be a rough road.”
A person facing a difficult project might say, “I know this is going to be a rough road, but I’m up for the challenge.”

27. Sisyphean task

This term comes from Greek mythology, specifically the story of Sisyphus, who was condemned to roll a boulder up a hill for eternity. It refers to a task that is never-ending and ultimately futile.

For instance, someone might say, “Cleaning up after a toddler feels like a Sisyphean task.”
In a discussion about bureaucracy, someone might comment, “Navigating through endless paperwork can be a Sisyphean task.”
A person facing a never-ending project might say, “Sometimes work can feel like a Sisyphean task.”

28. Mountain to climb

This slang compares a challenging task or goal to climbing a mountain, emphasizing the difficulty and effort required to overcome it.

For example, someone might say, “Getting a PhD is a mountain to climb.”
In a discussion about weight loss, someone might mention, “Losing 100 pounds is a mountain to climb.”
A person facing a tough career change might say, “Transitioning into a new industry is a mountain to climb.”

29. Not a walk in the park

This slang means that a task or situation is not easy or simple. It emphasizes that the challenge ahead will require effort and perseverance.

For instance, someone might say, “Running a marathon is not a walk in the park.”
In a discussion about parenting, someone might comment, “Raising a child with special needs is not a walk in the park.”
A person facing a difficult exam might say, “Studying for this test is not a walk in the park.”

30. Hurdle to overcome

This term refers to an obstacle or challenge that must be overcome in order to achieve a goal. It implies that the task ahead will require effort and determination.

For example, someone might say, “Getting over a breakup can be a hurdle to overcome.”
In a discussion about career advancement, someone might mention, “Building a professional network is a hurdle to overcome.”
A person facing a difficult project might say, “Managing multiple deadlines is a hurdle to overcome.”

31. Paddling against the current

This phrase is used to describe a challenging situation or task that requires a lot of effort and perseverance. It refers to the act of trying to move forward while facing resistance or opposition.

For example, “Starting a new business during a recession is like paddling against the current.”
In a conversation about overcoming obstacles, someone might say, “Sometimes life feels like paddling against the current, but we have to keep pushing forward.”
A person discussing their career challenges might say, “I’ve been paddling against the current for years, but I refuse to give up.”

32. Troublesome

This word is used to describe something or someone that causes difficulties or problems. It implies that the situation or person is challenging to deal with.

For instance, “My computer has been acting up lately. It’s been quite troublesome.”
In a discussion about a difficult coworker, someone might say, “He’s a troublesome person to work with.”
A teacher talking about a student might say, “He’s a bright student, but sometimes he can be a bit troublesome.”

33. Knotty

This word is used to describe a problem or situation that is complex and difficult to unravel or solve. It implies that the issue is challenging and requires a lot of mental effort.

For example, “The math problem was so knotty that even the professor struggled to solve it.”
In a conversation about a difficult puzzle, someone might say, “I’ve been trying to solve this knotty riddle for days.”
A person discussing a challenging problem at work might say, “We’re facing a knotty issue that requires a creative solution.”

34. Thorny

This word is used to describe a situation or problem that is challenging or complicated. It implies that dealing with the issue is difficult and may cause discomfort or problems.

For instance, “The negotiations between the two countries are becoming thorny.”
In a discussion about a difficult decision, someone might say, “It’s a thorny issue, and there’s no easy solution.”
A person talking about a challenging relationship might say, “Our friendship has become a bit thorny lately.”

35. Hard as nails

This phrase is used to describe someone who is strong, tough, or resilient, especially in the face of challenges or difficulties. It implies that the person is unyielding and can withstand tough situations.

For example, “She went through a lot in her life, but she’s hard as nails.”
In a conversation about a challenging physical activity, someone might say, “You have to be hard as nails to complete that marathon.”
A coach talking about a player might say, “He’s hard as nails on the field, never giving up even in the toughest situations.”

36. Bone-crushing

This slang term is used to describe a task or situation that is extremely challenging or difficult, often to the point of being overwhelming or intimidating.

For example, “The final exam was bone-crushing. I studied for hours and still struggled.”
In a sports context, a player might describe a tough opponent as “bone-crushing.”
A person facing a daunting project might say, “The amount of work ahead of me is bone-crushing.”

37. Mind-boggling

This slang term is used to describe something that is incredibly challenging or difficult to understand or comprehend.

For instance, “The math problem was mind-boggling. I couldn’t figure it out.”
A person might say, “The complexity of quantum mechanics is mind-boggling.”
In a conversation about a confusing situation, someone might exclaim, “The number of conflicting opinions on this topic is mind-boggling!”

38. Hair-raising

This slang term is used to describe a situation or experience that is extremely challenging, often in a thrilling or frightening way.

For example, “The roller coaster ride was hair-raising. I screamed the whole time!”
A person might describe a near-death experience as “hair-raising.”
In a discussion about extreme sports, someone might say, “Skydiving is a hair-raising activity that pushes you out of your comfort zone.”