taxing
UK: ˈtæksɪŋ | US: ˈtæksɪŋ
adj. physically or mentally demanding; exhausting
adj. burdensome or oppressive
The word "taxing" derives from the verb "tax," which originally meant "to assess or impose a financial charge" (from Latin taxare, "to evaluate or handle"). Over time, "tax" expanded metaphorically to mean "to strain or burden," giving rise to the adjective "taxing" in the 19th century. The suffix "-ing" transforms the verb into an adjective, emphasizing the ongoing or persistent nature of the burden.
The hike up the mountain was physically taxing.
She found the exam mentally taxing after hours of study.
His constant complaints made the conversation emotionally taxing.
The project became less taxing once they divided the workload.
Parenting can be both rewarding and taxing.