challenged

verb

Definition of challengednext
past tense of challenge
1
as in questioned
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 dared
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in required
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 challenged For example, last Wednesday, the game challenged me with a picture of a bronze sculpture that looked somewhat like a chariot. — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 6 July 2026 He is not challenged by the four-year cycle of fully democratic elections that leave his Western opponents in search of quick solutions. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 Failing to disclose or intentionally hiding assets can make a prenup more vulnerable to being challenged in court. — Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 6 July 2026 Oba immediately recovered from the F5 and challenged Brock Lesnar to a match at SummerSlam. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 News to know now The Supreme Court said Texas can enforce age verification and parental consent requirements for most apps while those rules are being challenged as a free-speech violation. — Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 7 July 2026 Belgium challenged the decision on Monday morning, but FIFA overturned it, clearing the way for Balogun to return. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026 Through seeing how art sparked conversation and challenged the stigma surrounding AIDS, Bode said she was inspired to create a similar approach to address the stigma around substance use disorder. — Brianna Wallen, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026 Amid a decline in production in Los Angeles, the 73-year-old Television City has been changing things up, opening up its stages to influencers in 2025 and planning an expansion that has been challenged by The Grove owner Rick Caruso in court. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenged
  1. questioned
  2. dared
  3. required
  4. contested
  5. needed
  6. disputed
  7. wanted
  8. took
Verb
  • Asked about the impact of successor Mojtaba Khamenei’s absence, Kamrava questioned the official explanation of security concerns, especially given the public appearance of other senior figures, and pointed to previous reports of his injury.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • His behavior under stress is dangerous to his officers and crew, and his authority is questioned.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
Definition of questioned
Verb
  • Members of white government clubs hassled their white neighbors into political lockstep and advertised physical and financial retribution for any Black person who dared to vote.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 3 July 2026
  • Tillman, whose right foot was bloodied before the kick because a Bosnian player stepped on it, still arced a shot over five standing Bosnians, into an unsaveable spot that keeper Nikola Vasilj almost dared Tillman to target.
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 2 July 2026
Definition of dared
Verb
  • Drivers turning right are required to wait for pedestrians to cross, and those going straight must wait along with them.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • They are not required to present all their evidence and can use secondhand information, or hearsay.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
Definition of required
Verb
  • The content of natural law has been contested throughout our history, but, over the long haul, liberals have fared well in reading the Constitution in light of the higher principles of fundamental justice.
    — Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 2 July 2026
  • Before Hawley announced the investigation, Steiner contested Hawley’s claims about postal service failures in Missouri.
    — Jack Harvel July 2, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Definition of contested
Verb
  • Animal control officials should be contacted when assistance is needed, the CDC recommends.
    — Kelli Arseneau, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Its on-site care will include, as needed, case management, nursing, occupational therapy, substance abuse support, workforce development, and round-the-clock resident coordinators .
    — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of needed
Verb
  • During the news conference, Crump, who has disputed the claims, showed a photograph of the vehicle with a shattered passenger side window and a bullet hole in the front windshield.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • The company disputed the vulnerability's severity, while the government's position softened amid industry criticism and fears of Chinese competitors gaining an advantage.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of disputed
Verb
  • The defense wanted the roommate to testify in person so Robinson could exercise his right challenge the credibility of witnesses against him.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 July 2026
  • Not the way the Hawks would have wanted to open their Summer League campaign.
    — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of wanted
Verb
  • Miami Fire Rescue paramedics took the man, thought to be in his early 30s, to Jackson Memorial Hospital, Fallat said.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 July 2026
  • In early June, Johnson met with workers who support the ILA and took a photo with them.
    — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of took

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challenge
challenged
challenger
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Cite this Entry

“Challenged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenged. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on challenged

Nglish: Translation of challenged for Spanish Speakers

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