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 A lot of challenger brands have stumbled at exactly this moment. — Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Netanyahu has seen multiple challengers rise on waves of public hope and support, only to fall short against his political skills. — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 29 June 2026 Democratic challengers questioned his absence ahead of what is expected to be one of the most competitive midterm congressional campaigns in the country. — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 Season 42 continues on Wednesday with Richard Nguyen returning as champion to face two new challengers. — Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 1 July 2026 Her victory over leftist challenger Roberto Sánchez marks her fourth presidential bid and makes her Peru’s first female president-elect. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026 Veteran Democrats face new challengers hoping to use the party’s increasing anti-Washington interests to their advantage. — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 30 June 2026 Two of his House colleagues in New York just lost primaries to progressive challengers, an example of the tough crosscurrents in the Democratic Party. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 29 June 2026 Republican Mark Baisley didn't face a challenger for the GOP nomination and will face Hickelooper in the November general election. — Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenger
  1. contender
  2. contestant
  3. competitor
  4. rival
Noun
  • The East's hierarchy is now fluid, with the Sixers emerging as serious contenders, though the Celtics remain a formidable force.
    — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • If allowed to run, Le Pen is widely seen as a top contender to succeed centrist President Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 election.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Definition of contender
Noun
  • The Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island in New York on July 4, where contestants ate several days' worth of calories in just 10 minutes.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • The reality star — who was briefly engaged to the winner of his season, Hannah Ann Sluss, and dated his fifth place contestant, Kelley Flanagan, on and off for years — addressed the book for the first time on Monday.
    — Sarah Hearon, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026
Definition of contestant
Noun
  • Joby has been in a fierce battle to be the first with taxis in the sky with its Northern California competitor Archer Aviation.
    — Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Plaintiffs claimed that Disney’s carriage agreements required streaming platforms to include ESPN in base channel packages, limiting the ability of competitors to offer cheaper bundles.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Definition of competitor
Noun
  • The South American rivals may just end up facing each other in a week.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • Adding another defender became even more important after guard Marcus Smart signed with Western Conference rival Houston.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on challenger

Nglish: Translation of challenger for Spanish Speakers

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