as in contender
one who strives for the same thing as another
the third-party challenger in the presidential election
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
The experience served as an extreme way to learn what Everest requires of its challengers.
—
Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
In Orange and Osceola Counties, an area with a large population of Puerto Rican voters, DeSantis’ Democratic challenger Charlie Crist still edged out a win.
—Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Ennis needed less than two minutes to secure a first-round stoppage against challenger Uisma Lima in Philly’s Wells Fargo Center to claim the WBA interim super-welterweight title.
—Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
While Kalshi and Polymarket remain the dominant players, other challengers are emerging.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, the Democratic incumbent, cruised to victory over Republican challenger Cory Bowman, 78% to 22%.
—Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2025
If the Court decides against the President, the lucid performance of Neal Katyal, representing one set of challengers, must be credited with demonstrating that commonsense runs the other way.
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2025
The filing period for California's congressional primary does not open until February 9, 2026, and closes on March 6, so there is still plenty of time for other challengers to enter the ring.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
Season 42 continues on Friday with Allegra Kuney returning as champion to face two new challengers.
—Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
In Orange and Osceola Counties, an area with a large population of Puerto Rican voters, DeSantis’ Democratic challenger Charlie Crist still edged out a win.
—Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Ennis needed less than two minutes to secure a first-round stoppage against challenger Uisma Lima in Philly’s Wells Fargo Center to claim the WBA interim super-welterweight title.
—Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
While Kalshi and Polymarket remain the dominant players, other challengers are emerging.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, the Democratic incumbent, cruised to victory over Republican challenger Cory Bowman, 78% to 22%.
—Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2025
If the Court decides against the President, the lucid performance of Neal Katyal, representing one set of challengers, must be credited with demonstrating that commonsense runs the other way.
—Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2025
The filing period for California's congressional primary does not open until February 9, 2026, and closes on March 6, so there is still plenty of time for other challengers to enter the ring.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
Season 42 continues on Friday with Allegra Kuney returning as champion to face two new challengers.
—Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenger
Noun
-
Instead, this team bullied one of the top NFC playoff contenders from start to finish.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Even with expectations for this season always low (even by Browns post-1999 standards), does anyone watching think this team is anywhere close to becoming a contender — even with a pair of potential top-15 picks in the 2026 draft?—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Nawat Itsaragrisil, president of Miss Grand International (MGI), was seen scolding Fatima Bosch, a 25-year-old contestant from Mexico, ahead of the 74th Miss Universe competition being held in Bangkok later this month.—
Anabella González,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The pageant director accused Bosch of skipping promotional activities, including a photoshoot that all contestants were expected to share on social media.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Hug beat his closest competitor, Great Britain’s David Weir, by nearly four minutes.—
Bette Canter,
Sportico.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The first iteration of the New York City Marathon had 55 finishers, while the 2024 race had 55,642 competitors cross the finish line.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Once a manufacturing subcontractor of South Korean companies, China has now become their global rival in key industries like EV and electronics.—
Se Eun Gong,
NPR,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Florida had a shot at a program-defining win against the rival that tormented it the most.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Challenger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenger. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share