challenges 1 of 2

noun

plural of challenge
1
as in objections
a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent there were no serious challenges to the legislative bill, so it passed easily

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in problems
something that requires thought and skill for resolution the many challenges facing developing countries in the 21st century

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

challenges

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of challenge
1
as in questions
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of don't hesitate to challenge any statement that generalizes about people

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dares
to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat I challenge you to swim to the other side of the pond

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3
as in requires
to have as a requirement having to put up with an overbearing boss challenges forbearance

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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 challenges
Noun
Others cited recruitment challenges – almost four in ten said attracting top talent is harder in Europe than in the US. — Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 And strength to resist reducing complex human challenges to slogans, enemies, or simple answers. — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026 Eight finalists will compete in a series of challenges inspired by the skills required to make each and every order. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 The committee challenges will be first voted on by the caucus’ powerful Steering and Policy Committee, which is generally aligned with party leadership, before the full caucus will have any input. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026 The complaint adds to the growing list of legal challenges to the mass terminations under FBI Director Kash Patel of agents who participated in investigations of the Republican president or are seen as opposed to Trump administration interests. — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Despite the heavy hitters, all this comes with major challenges and caveats. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026 These days, the Ambassador has to handle a different set of challenges such as handling the fallout when the boss criticizes the British Prime Minister on social media. — Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026 The author wrote about the Legislature not funding education and the challenges that teachers face. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
An annual competition called BabyLM challenges researchers to train models on a child’s diet of words. — Charles Yeomans, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 The team had to balance weight and waterproofing as well as figure out successful take off and landing in water, which reflects light and challenges the sensors used in most consumer drones to gauge distance from the ground. — Max Cea, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Organizers later cited competition in the festival market and challenges booking country artists as factors in skipping 2025 and 2026. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 In doing so, the 1 Pro+ directly challenges top rivals like the $549 Viture Beast. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026 This article challenges you to visit a new part of town and hike a new trail this fall. — Jonah McDonald, AJC.com, 14 Oct. 2026 The system also challenges the federal investigation’s procedures and conclusions. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Jeremy Irons co-stars as Jesuit priest Father Gabriel, who challenges Mendoza to undergo penance. — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 The Lady Greyhounds are there as well, and Niamh Harrigan (Aisling Sharkey) challenges her teammates to split the G, which an older gentleman points out is a tradition that actually started in Britain, not Ireland. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenges
  1. objections
  2. problems
  3. questions
  4. dares
  5. needs
  6. exceptions
  7. matters
  8. disputes
Noun
  • According to people familiar with discussions about the policy, Bennett’s prior objections were a message intended for his domestic political constituency.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Her objections, when raised, are dismissed quickly and easily.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of objections
Noun
  • The thing is, the problems in the United States aren’t my problems.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Just as running from my problems was, clearing my mind over the course of many miles, or racing hard, until the adrenaline cleansed me of feeling pain, sadness, disappointment, or rage.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of problems
Verb
  • But when adolescent Elia Gheorghiu shows up at school with bruises, the community questions the traditional education the Gheorghiu yougsters are getting from their parents.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Whereas Riis uses documentation to expose, Rosler questions conventional representation.
    — J. Hoberman, ARTnews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of questions
Verb
  • Located less than an hour away from the Palma de Mallorca airport, the southern town of Santanyí is the latest destination in Mallorca that dares to renew its luxury hotel offer.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Che suspects the white writers pitched this to him, and dares him to name one character without looking at the cue cards.
    — Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of dares
Verb
  • The results, along with details of the tumor's molecular and genetic makeup, will help doctors determine whether the pope needs additional treatment.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The ruling party needs a majority of at least 61 seats out of 120 in the Knesset.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of needs
Noun
  • Once a hospital makes a patient’s records available through Epic’s Care Everywhere, many clinicians who work with Epic across the country can pull up those records, with some exceptions.
    — Alex Rosenblat — CalMatters, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Most brands top out at about $50 per bottle, with a few exceptions here and there.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of exceptions
Noun
  • This matters because young broiler chickens (chickens raised for meat) require very warm conditions to mature.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • That rinse-clean standard matters for anyone worried about buildup, since a scalp oil that lingers after washing can leave hair looking greasy rather than nourished.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of matters
Verb
  • Israel disputes the figures, but has not offered its own estimate of the number of deaths in Gaza.
    — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The company disputes that 27 odor complaints since 2024 and 67 videos of work being done outside permitted hours referenced in a city staff report represent actual violations of the city’s noise, odor and operating hour rules.
    — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of disputes

Browse Nearby Words

challengers
challenges
challenging
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Cite this Entry

“Challenges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenges. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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