challengers

noun

plural of challenger
as in competitors
one who strives for the same thing as another the third-party challenger in the presidential election

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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 challengers Longtime Democratic House incumbents also defeated younger challengers Lynch, 71, has held the 8th District seat in south Boston since 2001. — Kimberlee Kruesi, Los Angeles Times, 2 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 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 In 2024, District 1 Councilmember Aaron Meadows and District 3 Councilmember Anissa Williams also were appointed to their respective seats after facing no challengers in that year’s general election. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026 Both turned on whether the challengers had sued before USPS finalized its rule. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 College sports’ current arms race of money, along with unrestricted transfers, is threatening to shut out rising challengers like UConn football, with rich teams now dangling lucrative offers and raiding talent like never before. — U.s. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challengers
  1. competitors
  2. contenders
  3. contestants
  4. rivals
Noun
  • The season brings back the franchise’s ‘Cutthroat’ format, splitting 24 competitors into three teams battling for a share of $500,000.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Look at how competitors communicate their value, answer customer questions, appear in search, structure digital journeys and guide prospects toward conversion.
    — James Fratzke, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of competitors
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 contenders
Noun
  • Failure to comply with the rules would result in disqualification for contestants.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • There are two more groups of contestants in the next round, followed by a semifinals round, and then the finals.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of contestants
Noun
  • Casemiro and Messi, fierce rivals when Casemiro was at Real Madrid and Messi at Barcelona, celebrated together, a rare sight for longtime La Liga fans.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Walmart had been slow to adopt tap-to-pay compared with rivals.
    — Kimberly Tutuska, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of rivals

Browse Nearby Words

challenger
challengers
challenges
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Cite this Entry

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

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