challenge

verb chal·lenge \ ˈcha-lənj \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

challenged; challenging

transitive verb

1 : to dispute especially as being unjust, invalid, or outmoded : impugn

new data that challenges old assumptions

2 a : to confront or defy boldly : dare

he challenged his critics to prove his guilt

b : to call out to duel or combat

challenged his rival to a duel

c : to invite into competition

he challenged his brother to a tennis match

3 : to question formally the legality or legal qualifications of

challenge a juror

4 : to arouse or stimulate especially by presenting with difficulties

she wants a job that will challenge her

5 : to order to halt and prove identity

the sentry challenged the stranger

6 : to demand as due or deserved : require

an event that challenges explanation

7 : to administer a physiological (see physiological 2) and especially an immunologic challenge to (an organism or cell)

intransitive verb

1 : to make or present a challenge

when the appropriate moment challenged, he was capable of … leadership
—C. H. Driver

2 : to take legal exception

—

challenger

noun

—

challengeable

play \ˈcha-lən-jə-bəl\ adjective

See challenge defined for English-language learners

See challenge defined for kids

Examples of challenge in a Sentence

A number of doctors are challenging the study's claims.
The new lawsuit challenges the lower court's decision.
She's been challenged on her handling of the problem.
None of them were willing to challenge the referee on the call.
It's a game that will challenge a child's imagination.
The work doesn't challenge him anymore, and he's often bored.

Recent Examples of challenge from the Web

Clearly, Croesus is Mr. Moyn’s way of challenging us to think about economic inequality, one of the key subjects of contemporary political debate.

— adam kirsch, WSJ, "‘Not Enough’ Review: Don’t Just Do Something, Stand There," 19 Apr. 2018
Writing scholarship, composing poetry, and teaching all challenge me in rewarding ways.

— NBC News, "#RedefineAtoZ: Craig Santos Perez Has a Story to Tell Through Art, Poetry," 16 Apr. 2018
Jesse Colvin, the leading Democrat vying to challenge him, has $332,348.

— paul schwartzman, Washington Post, "Trone gives himself $3 million more in his bid for Maryland congressional seat," 16 Apr. 2018
After letting some time drip off the clock, Tatum put the Celtics up three with a reverse layup past Antetokounmpo, who couldn't adequately challenge it for fear of picking up his sixth foul.

— matt velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Celtics 113, Bucks 107: Milwaukee's magic fizzles out in overtime," 15 Apr. 2018
As a reliever in the playoffs last year, Maeda hounded right-handed hitters by challenging them inside the zone.

— andy mccullough, latimes.com, "Early struggles doom Dodgers," 14 Apr. 2018
The play was close enough that the Cards challenged it.

— cincinnati enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Reds show a little life late but still lose 5-3 to St. Louis Cardinals," 13 Apr. 2018
One of its products is a virtual game that helps patients manage post-operative pain by challenging them to shoot little red balls at bears in a virtual world.

— haley sweetland edwards, Time, "You're Addicted to Your Smartphone. This Company Thinks It Can Change That," 13 Apr. 2018
What pulled him into poetry was a college creative writing course, which challenged him to look at words in different ways.

— steve smith, Courant Community, "'Chief' Speaks To RHS Crowd," 12 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'challenge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of challenge

Middle English chalengen to accuse, from Anglo-French chalenger, from Latin calumniari to accuse falsely, from calumnia calumny

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 6

See Words from the same year

challenge Synonyms

Phrases

call in question (or into);

challenge

noun

1 : a stimulating task or problem

looking for new challenges

2 a : a calling to account or into question : protest

a challenge to unauthorized use of public funds

b : an exception taken to a juror before the juror is sworn

a challenge of a prospective juror based on a specific cause or reason

c : a questioning of the right or validity of a vote or voter

d : a sentry's command to halt and prove identity

The intruder fled at the sentry's challenge.

3 a : an invitation to compete in a sport

He accepted my challenge to a game of chess.

b : a summons (see ¹summons 2) that is often threatening, provocative, stimulating, or inciting; specifically : a summons to a duel to answer an affront

4 : the act or process of provoking or testing physiological activity by exposure to a specific substance; especially : a test of immunity by exposure to an antigen

See challenge defined for English-language learners

Examples of challenge in a Sentence

The next major challenge for the company is to improve its distribution capabilities.
Teaching adolescents can be quite a challenge.
The band feels ready for new challenges.
If he takes on the new project he will face the greatest challenge of his career.
Management is seeking ways to better meet the challenge of future growth.
The ski slope offers a high degree of challenge.
Do you accept my challenge to a game of chess?
The senator may face a challenge from within her own party.

Recent Examples of challenge from the Web

Runners and walkers who sign up for events separately will not be included in the challenge.

— christopher d thomas, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Marathon adds 1-mile run, challenge series for 2018," 5 Nov. 2017
The challenges women face to get elected are as old as the modern era.

— amber phillips, Washington Post, "Don’t look now, but this might be an excellent time for women to run for office," 4 Nov. 2017
As her story unravels, the doctor begins to see the challenges Grace has faced as a vulnerable woman of the lower class, and in turn the oppressive fate suffered by many women in the mid-19th century.

— lorraine ali, latimes.com, "Netflix brings Margaret Atwood back to the small screen with engrossing 'Alias Grace'," 2 Nov. 2017
Schrader has been working without pay while the administration challenges that provision in court.

— michael dresser, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland official held in contempt by judge is out at Health Department," 31 Oct. 2017
Nicole Schlosser, the magazine's managing editor, relatively low salaries and a two-part schedule – which requires working a morning shift and returning to work in the afternoon – are among the biggest challenges.

— melissa reinert, Cincinnati.com, "Bus driver shortage hits NKY school districts," 26 Oct. 2017
During a Thursday announcement declaring the opioid crisis a public health emergency, President Donald Trump discussed the challenges faced by his late brother, Fred Trump, Jr., who battled alcoholism before passing away nearly 40 years ago.

— alana abramson, Time, "'He Really Helped Me.' President Trump Says His Brother Kept Him Away From Drugs," 26 Oct. 2017
Chandrayaan-2 will pay close attention to floating lunar dust, widely considered one of the biggest challenges in the face of human colonization.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "India Is Sending a Rover to the Moon in 2018," 25 Oct. 2017
Windsor Social Services is interested in hearing from you concerning your experiences and challenges.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Windsor Edition," 24 Oct. 2017

Origin and Etymology of challenge

see ¹challenge

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 3b

See Words from the same year

challenge Synonyms

Synonyms

case, knot, matter, problem, trouble;

Antonyms

answer, solution;

Near Antonyms

magic bullet, silver bullet;

cure-all, panacea;

Related Words

issue, question;

corner, fix, hole, hot water, jam, mire, pickle, predicament, quagmire, spot;

crux, toughie (also toughy);

dilemma, quandary;

catch, glitch, hitch, pitfall, snag;

conundrum, enigma, mystery, puzzle, puzzlement, riddle;

brainteaser, poser, stumper;

CHALLENGE Defined for English Language Learners

challenge

verb

: to say or show that (something) may not be true, correct, or legal
: to question the action or authority of (someone)
law : to question whether (someone) should serve on a jury

challenge

noun

: a difficult task or problem : something that is hard to do
: an action, statement, etc., that is against something : a refusal to accept something as true, correct, or legal
: an invitation to compete in a game, fight, etc.

CHALLENGE Defined for Kids

challenge

verb chal·lenge \ ˈcha-lənj \

challenged; challenging

1 : to object to as bad or incorrect : dispute

The coach challenged the referee's call.

2 : to confront or defy boldly

He challenged them to prove him wrong.

3 : to invite or dare to take part in a contest

Are you challenging us to a race?

4 : to be difficult enough to be interesting to : test the skill or ability of

This puzzle will challenge you.

5 : to halt and demand identification from

The guard challenged the stranger.

—

challenger

noun

challenge

noun

1 : an objection to something as not being true, genuine, correct, or proper or to a person (as a juror) as not being correct, qualified, or approved

2 : a call or dare for someone to compete in a contest or sport

3 : a difficult task or problem

Memorizing the poem was a challenge.

4 : an order to stop and provide identification

Medical Dictionary

challenge

transitive verb chal·lenge \ ˈchal-ənj \

challenged; challenging

: to administer a physiological and especially an immunologic challenge to (an organism or cell)

challenge

noun

: the process of provoking or testing physiological activity by exposure to a specific substance; especially : a test of immunity by exposure to an antigen after immunization against it

Law Dictionary

challenge

transitive verb chal·lenge

challenged; challenging

1 : to dispute especially as being invalid or unjust

counsel challenged this interpretation

2 : to question formally (as by a suit or motion) the legality or legal qualifications of

challenge the regulations

; especially : to make a challenge to (a trier of fact)

the grounds for challenging prospective jurors
—W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.

— compare recuse

challenge

noun

1 : a calling into question; especially : a questioning of validity or legality : objection

when the challenge to the statute is in effect a challenge of this basic assumption
—Kramer v. Union Free School Dist. No. 15, 395 U.S. 621 (1969)

— see also batson challenge

2 : a request to disqualify a trier of fact (as a jury member or judge) — compare recusal, strike

— challenge for cause

: a challenge especially of a prospective juror based on a specific and stated cause or reason

— challenge to the array

: a challenge of an entire jury that raises objections to the selection process

— peremptory challenge

: a challenge especially of a prospective juror that does not require a stated cause or reason

Learn More about challenge

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for challenge Spanish Central: Translation of challenge Nglish: Translation of challenge for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of challenge for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about challenge

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up challenge? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

challenge

challenger

challengeable

Examples of challenge in a Sentence

Recent Examples of challenge from the Web

Origin and Etymology of challenge

challenge Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

challenge

Examples of challenge in a Sentence

Recent Examples of challenge from the Web

Origin and Etymology of challenge

challenge Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to CHALLENGE

Related Phrases

CHALLENGE Defined for English Language Learners

challenge

challenge

CHALLENGE Defined for Kids

challenge

challenger

challenge

Medical Dictionary

challenge

challenge

Law Dictionary

challenge

challenge

Learn More about challenge

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Trending: HRC: Media Opened Door to 'Charlatans'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes