as in contender
one who strives for the same thing as another
the third-party challenger in the presidential election
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Recent Examples of challenger
Speakers call for Democratic challengers While Saturday’s signs took wide aim, the messages coming from the event’s speakers were decidedly local.
—
Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026
Gromlich described Louisiana’s 4th District as a heavily Republican area that has not had a Democratic challenger in recent election cycles.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 28 Mar. 2026
In deep blue Massachusetts, the governor has seen numerous favorable voter polls, including a recent UNH Survey Center poll giving her a massive lead over her three Republican challengers in the 2026 election.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
There is also no Republican challenger for Clerk.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
The latest challenger to enter the arena?
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 26 Mar. 2026
The incumbent clerk with strong ties to the local Democratic Party faces two challengers who criticize insider politics.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 26 Mar. 2026
Leftist candidate wins Paris mayoral race The French left won the Paris mayor’s race, one of a number of blows to far-right and center-right challengers in nationwide municipal polls.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Two center-right challengers hoped to oust Frederiksen as prime minister.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026
Gromlich described Louisiana’s 4th District as a heavily Republican area that has not had a Democratic challenger in recent election cycles.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 28 Mar. 2026
In deep blue Massachusetts, the governor has seen numerous favorable voter polls, including a recent UNH Survey Center poll giving her a massive lead over her three Republican challengers in the 2026 election.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
There is also no Republican challenger for Clerk.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
The latest challenger to enter the arena?
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 26 Mar. 2026
The incumbent clerk with strong ties to the local Democratic Party faces two challengers who criticize insider politics.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 26 Mar. 2026
Leftist candidate wins Paris mayoral race The French left won the Paris mayor’s race, one of a number of blows to far-right and center-right challengers in nationwide municipal polls.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Two center-right challengers hoped to oust Frederiksen as prime minister.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenger
Noun
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The first debate between presidential candidates occurred on May 17, 1948, when Republican contenders Thomas Dewey and Harold Stassen matched wits.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Voters, including myself, had to select seven artists from the record-tying 17 on the shortlist, the majority of them being contenders for the first time.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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During the call, the producers reminded the contestants that they are bound by their one-year contracts.—
Rebecca Keegan,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Martinez entered our lives back in 2012 as a contestant on season 3 of The Voice.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the first episode’s Elimination Challenge‚ which was focused on North Carolina’s state vegetable, sweet potatoes — Cochran cooked up a pork loin in the kitchen at La Belle Helene that wasn’t quite cooked through, landing her in the bottom three competitors.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The criticism has only grown louder during the build to WrestleMania 42, with her feud against Ripley drawing significant attention due to the level of both competitors involved.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Next up is a matchup with Big Ten rival Iowa in the Elite 8 on Saturday.—
Ryan Baker,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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The alternative option required a bit of help from the Minnesota Twins — their American League Central rivals.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Challenger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenger. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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