Challenging and Formidable

Challenging

Challenging adjective - Requiring considerable physical or mental effort.
Usage example: an exceptionally challenging brainteaser

Formidable is a synonym for challenging in difficult topic. In some cases you can use "Formidable" instead an adjective "Challenging", when it comes to topics like ambitious.

Nearby Words: challenge, challenged, challenger

Formidable

Formidable adjective - Requiring considerable physical or mental effort.
Usage example: running a marathon is a formidable undertaking

Challenging is a synonym for formidable in difficult topic. You can use "Challenging" instead an adjective "Formidable", if it concerns topics such as demanding, ambitious.

Nearby Word: formidably
Cite this Source
Formidable and Challenging. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/challenging/formidable
Challenging & Formidable. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/challenging/formidable>.
Formidable or Challenging. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/challenging/formidable.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "challenging" and "formidable" have occurred on timeline