challenge

play

verb chal·lenge \ ˈcha-lənj \

Definition of challenge

challenged; challenging

transitive verb

1 :to demand as due or deserved :require

an event that challenges explanation

2 :to order to halt and prove identity

the sentry challenged the stranger

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

new data that challenges old assumptions

4 :to question formally the legality or legal qualifications of

challenge a juror

5 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

6 :to arouse or stimulate especially by presenting with difficulties

she wants a job that will challenge her

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

In the circuits course, one project challenged students to attach wires to a circuit board sold as part of the Makey-Makey electronics invention kit.

— mia rollins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Sally Ride Junior Academy makes science accessible," 19 July 2017
Endless and costly litigation that challenges Hudson River Park’s ability to grow and build out its capital plan serves no one — least of all the public.

— charles v. bagli, New York Times, "Mayor de Blasio Tries to Break Impasse in ‘Diller Island’ Battle," 18 July 2017
SpaceX’s success two years ago in challenging ULA’s monopoly on military launches may have emboldened new challengers to try to compete for the limited number of military and other national security launches.

— miamiherald, "New generation of giant rockets is about to blast off," 17 July 2017
But can anybody dethrone Alabama or even challenge its dominance?

— rainer sabin, AL.com, "Why Alabama's dominance is elephant in SEC media room," 12 July 2017
Marie Newman, a marketing consultant from La Grange who is gearing up to challenge U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski in next year's 3rd Congressional District Democratic primary, also spoke out against Brannigan at Monday's meeting.

— zak koeske, Daily Southtown, "Activists demand resignation of Palos Township trustee following Facebook posts," 11 July 2017
State lawmakers challenged that math, though, arguing that the unnamed conventions had never signed contracts to come to the city and that Fischer's and other's claims had been exaggerated.

— darcy costello, The Courier-Journal, "Omni Louisville Hotel says it would have hosted conventions that pulled out of city," 8 July 2017
Curtis is the second Democrat in south-central Indiana’s 9th District to announce his intent to challenge Hollingsworth.

— maureen groppe, Indianapolis Star, "Health care debate inspiring Democrat congressional candidates to challenge Hollingsworth," 3 July 2017
Gear up There’s no shortage of riding trails in San Diego, so hardcore pedal pushers don’t have to look far to find challenging terrain.

— michael benninger, Pacific San Diego Magazine, "The f#ck-it list: Things to do before you die," 3 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

challenge Synonyms

Synonyms

contest, dispute, impeach, oppugn, query, question, call in (or into) question

Antonyms

accept, believe, embrace, swallow

Related Words

doubt, mistrust; kick (about), object (to), protest; combat, fight, oppose, resist

Near Antonyms

back, defend, support; advocate, champion, promote; abide, endure, stomach, tolerate

challenge

noun

Definition of challenge

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

b :an invitation to compete in a sport

He accepted my challenge to a game of chess.

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 sentry's command to halt and prove identity

The intruder fled at the sentry's challenge.

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

3 :a stimulating task or problem

looking for new challenges

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

The approval process hit a number of obstacles, however, and challenges remain on how to implement land reform and rebuild a stable society.

— aila m. matanock, Washington Post, "The FARC just became a Colombian political party. Here’s why elections are critical to a lasting peace.," 30 Aug. 2017
Day 15: Start your own viral challenge: #TheMoochChallenge.

— emilia petrarca, The Cut, "How to Salvage Your Garbage Personal Brand in 30 Days Like Anthony Scaramucci," 30 Aug. 2017
Thurman was right: Producing suction was a mechanical challenge.

— kat eschner, Smithsonian, "The Vacuum Cleaner Was Harder to Invent Than You Might Think," 30 Aug. 2017
If Pyongyang collapsed, refugees and armed North Korean soldiers, fissile material, or even nuclear fallout, could stream over the Yalu and Tumen rivers, which form the border with northeast China, presenting a major challenge to its own stability.

— adam mount, The Atlantic, "How China Sees North Korea," 29 Aug. 2017
Defining the parameters for effective rTMS—how many pulses to deliver, at what frequency, for how long, and to which part of the brain—remains a fundamental challenge for researchers seeking to deploy it against cocaine and other addictions.

— meredith wadman, Science | AAAS, "Brain-altering magnetic pulses could zap cocaine addiction," 29 Aug. 2017
But Trump’s decision to back a primary challenge against Jeff Flake represents a real, substantive break with the Senate GOP.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump May Be More Dangerous Than His Handlers Realized," 28 Aug. 2017
However, without U.S. approval, the challenges to market such a vaccine in the United States remain significant.

— marisa taylor, Kaiser Health News, "Offshore Human Testing Of Herpes Vaccine Stokes Debate Over U.S. Safety Rules," 28 Aug. 2017
But the children of poor immigrants face challenges of their own.

— reihan salam, National Review, "The Case for Skills-Based Immigration," 28 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of challenge

see ¹challenge

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

challenge Synonyms

Synonyms

objection, complaint, demur, demurral, demurrer, difficulty, exception, expostulation, fuss, kick, protest, question, remonstrance, stink

Antonyms

answer, solution

Related Words

compunction, doubt, misgiving, qualm, scruple; misunderstanding; cavil, niggle [chiefly British], quibble; argument, conflict, debate, dispute, dissent, hassle, quarrel, squabble, static; censure, criticism; defiance, disobedience, rebellion; distrust, distrustfulness, dubiety, dubitation [archaic], incertitude, indetermination, misdoubt, mistrust, mistrustfulness, reservation, skepticism, suspicion, uncertainty; qualmishness, unease, uneasiness; reluctance, unwillingness

Near Antonyms

willingness; approval, sanction; acceptance, acquiescence, agreement, assent; compliance, obedience

CHALLENGE Defined for English Language Learners

challenge

play

verb

Definition of challenge for English Language Learners

: 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

Definition of challenge for English Language Learners

: 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

play

verb chal·lenge \ ˈcha-lənj \

Definition of challenge for Students

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

Definition of challenge for Students

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

play

transitive verb chal·lenge \ ˈchal-ənj \

medical Definition of challenge

challenged; challenging

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

challenge

noun

medical Definition of challenge

: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

legal Definition of challenge

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

legal Definition of challenge

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

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challenge

Definition of challenge

challenger

challengeable

From the M-W Editors

Examples of challenge in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of challenge

challenge Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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challenge

Definition of challenge

Examples of challenge in a Sentence

Recent Examples of challenge from the Web

Origin and Etymology of challenge

challenge Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Phrases Related to CHALLENGE

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CHALLENGE Defined for English Language Learners

challenge

Definition of challenge for English Language Learners

challenge

Definition of challenge for English Language Learners

CHALLENGE Defined for Kids

challenge

Definition of challenge for Students

challenger

challenge

Definition of challenge for Students

Medical Dictionary

challenge

medical Definition of challenge

challenge

medical Definition of challenge

Law Dictionary

challenge

legal Definition of challenge

challenge

legal Definition of challenge

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