challenger

noun

Definition of challengernext
as in contender
one who strives for the same thing as another the third-party challenger in the presidential election

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of challenger Mills lost his bid for another term when he was defeated last month by a GOP primary challenger. — Claudia Grisales, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026 Democratic challengers call for generational change Moulton has framed his challenge against Markey around generational change since the beginning. — Margie Cullen, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 His main challenger, opposition leader Brian Mundubile, received around 38% of the vote. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 Unite Here Local 11, which represents hospitality workers at hotels and airports, broke with most other labor groups in Los Angeles by backing challenger Nithya Raman over incumbent Karen Bass. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 The party capped off with Sabalenka participating in a thrilling ping-pong match against five challengers. — Paul Chi, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026 Instead, the Constitution gives states the power to administer elections, the challengers said. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Their Republican challengers are Terence Collins and Bree Moeggenberg. — Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026 The previous winning country contests a challenger country, and yacht clubs compete against each other to represent their respective countries. — Madeleine Kashkooli, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenger
  1. contender
  2. contestant
  3. competitor
  4. rival
Noun
  • Here’s a closer look at the remaining meetings between division contenders.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The schedule ahead will brings more challenges; the Dragons face championship contenders North Crowley and Allen before District 4-6A play.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of contender
Noun
  • Fifty-one contestants — one representative from each of the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia — vied for the crown.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Brandi is a successful podcaster, co-hosting Your Favorite Things with Wells Adams (former Bachelorette contestant and husband of actress Sarah Hyland).
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of contestant
Noun
  • The only difference is that, after this race, some of the competitors collapsed to the floor with sparks flying from their insides while safety officials charged over to attend to them with fire extinguishers.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The remaining 30% of the settlement value is contingent on Meta’s competitors, YouTube and TikTok, agreeing to similar design changes and payments.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of competitor
Noun
  • Games against the division rival Sabres and Canadiens also will be televised nationally.
    — Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Anthropic’s primary tech industry rival, ChatGPT maker OpenAI, made its own deal to work with the Pentagon just hours after the government punished Anthropic for its stance.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of rival

Browse Nearby Words

challenged
challenger
challengers
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Challenger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenger. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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