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 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 David Roth, the Democratic candidate for Risch’s seat, dropped out of the race in July, leaving Achilles as Risch’s primary challenger. — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 24 Aug. 2026 That national mood is something Republican challengers will have to combat, DeSantis said. — Shauna Muckle, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026 Villarreal finished third last season, just ahead of Atletico, the perennial challenger to Barcelona and Real Madrid. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 Equality Florida, a statewide LGBTQ civil rights group, spent $250,000 statewide to send mailers to on behalf of school board candidates facing Moms for Liberty challengers, including the winning slate in Orange and Sarasota counties. — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 The contest generated heated discussion on social media and attracted national media attention, including invitations for the challengers to appear on cable TV shows and streaming platforms. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 TikTok has created a significant opportunity for challenger brands to grow. — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026 This time, the challenger offered concrete answers instead of word salads. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 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
  • But Patel observed that many of the robotic competitors were still being teleoperated by human operators who directly controlled the robots’ actions.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026
  • That is 35 films the two studios are already planning as independent competitors before any merger occurs.
    — Joseph M. Singer, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 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
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Cite this Entry

“Challenger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenger. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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