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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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 That national mood is something Republican challengers will have to combat, DeSantis said. — Shauna Muckle, Miami Herald, 24 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 Donalds defeated several primary challengers, including far-right online provocateur James Fishback. — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 Mecklenburg’s most interesting races are concentrated in the Charlotte suburbs, where shifting demographics and the influence of national politics have the potential to endanger incumbents and give challengers a chance, Heberlig said. — Mary Ramsey august 12, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challengers
  1. competitors
  2. contenders
  3. contestants
  4. rivals
Noun
  • Compared with three of its biggest competitors—ORLY, AZO, and AAP—GPC has performed noticeably better over the last quarter and change.
    — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Winner Receives a National Prize Package The public voting rounds gradually narrow the field until the final competitors remain.
    — Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 26 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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