Taxing
'tæksɪŋ
Definitions
2 meaningsRequiring considerable effort; difficult; burdensome; exhausting.
'tæksɪŋ
Requiring or involving a great amount of effort, difficulty, or exertion.
The long hike up the mountain was physically taxing.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to build a really complex Lego castle. 'Taxing' means it's super hard and takes a lot of energy and concentration, just like that castle! You might be a bit grumpy and it's hard.
👶 For kids: When something is taxing, it's hard work and makes you tired.
More Examples
Her demanding job at the hospital was emotionally taxing.
The negotiations proved to be a taxing experience for all parties involved.
Learning a new language can be mentally taxing at first.
How It's Used
"Running a marathon is a taxing physical activity."
"The new project proved to be mentally taxing for the team."
To make excessive demands on someone's energy, resources, or patience.
'tæksɪŋ
Making excessive demands on (someone's energy or resources).
The long hours were beginning to tax his patience.
💡 Simply: Think of the amount of energy you spend playing a video game with many challenging levels. In this case, the video game is taxing you. It sucks a lot out of you!
👶 For kids: When something is taxing, it's using up a lot of your energy or resources.
More Examples
The economic downturn was taxing on many families.
The constant criticism was taxing her emotionally.
His patience was taxed by the unending delay.
How It's Used
"The illness was taxing on her immune system."
"Excessive spending can tax a family's budget."
Synonyms
Arduous
Challenging
Demanding
Difficult
Exhausting
Strenuous
Burden
Drain
Exhaust
Sap
Strain
Idioms & expressions
taxing one's mind
To make an effort to think hard about something
"I've been taxing my mind all day, but I can't remember where I left my keys."
From Middle English taxen, from Old French taxer (“to assess, rate”), from Medieval Latin taxare (“to assess a tax”), from Latin taxō (“I handle, touch, evaluate”).
Used since the 16th century to describe something that is burdensome or difficult.