challenge

1 of 2

verb

chal·​lenge ˈcha-lənj How to pronounce challenge (audio)
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 sense 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 … leadershipC. H. Driver
2
: to take legal exception
challenger noun
challengeable adjective

challenge

2 of 2

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 summons entry 1 sense 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

Examples of challenge in a Sentence

Verb 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. Noun 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 on the Web
Verb
In December, Blackstock and Starstruck challenged that ruling in court, demanding that same questions be re-decided by a Los Angeles judge rather than by the Labor Commissioner. Bill Donahue, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2024 The state organization tasked with finding the owners, however, found such work challenging. Nina Siegal, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Moses and his company never fail to challenge dance fans with their provocative performances. Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024 The proposal could also be challenged in the courts by TikTok, which has sued to counter other attempts to ban the platform both nationally and at the state level. Haleluya Hadero, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 Observers will begin fasting for the next month from sunrise to sunset and engaging in activities that challenge their self-restraint and bring them closer to God. USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024 Unfortunately, Kernen failed to challenge Trump on the matter. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 In January, Tate won an appeal challenging Romanian authorities' seizure of his assets, which were confiscated in the weeks following his arrest. Landon Mion, Fox News, 12 Mar. 2024 At every level, out of touch politicians challenge our fundamental rights and freedoms, and Orange County has an opportunity to stop them by electing Joanna Weiss. Sue Kempf, Orange County Register, 2 Mar. 2024
Noun
There is no immediate solution in sight to Kyiv’s intensifying manpower challenge. Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Accommodating the takeover by Trump and his brand of populism is the Party’s signal challenge today. David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024 Adding to its challenges, the show is not an easy watch, from its depiction of the anguish of losing beloved characters to the moral dilemmas posed by the story — and, of course, the mental workout of simply keeping up with such a vast and changing cast. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 The challenge is that it’s become harder to talk about and legally trickier to pursue. Diane Brady, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 Mahdavi contrasts their historical environmental negligence with a slow but emerging recognition of climate change challenges. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2024 This presents challenges for the public and for agencies tasked with protecting public health and safety, preventing businesses from cheating their workers, and enforcing a wide range of laws. Suzanne Dershowitz, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 Raising money, building name recognition, scaring up a decent-sized crowd were all stiff challenges for any representative who ventured too far from home. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 The company faced many challenges during the construction of the new pipeline, like fines for aquifer breaches and water quality violations as well as a criminal misdemeanor charge for using state waters without permission. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'challenge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

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

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 6

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Time Traveler
The first known use of challenge was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near challenge

Cite this Entry

“Challenge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/challenge. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

challenge

1 of 2 verb
chal·​lenge ˈchal-ənj How to pronounce challenge (audio)
challenged; challenging
1
: to order to stop and prove identity
2
a
: to object to as bad or incorrect : dispute
b
: to demand proof that something is right or legal
3
: to invite or dare to take part in a contest
4
: to arouse or stimulate especially by presenting with difficulties
challenger noun

challenge

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: a demand that someone take part in a duel
b
: an invitation or dare for someone to compete in a contest or sport
2
: an objection to something as not being true, genuine, correct, or proper or to a person (as a juror) as not being qualified or approved
3
: a sentry's command to halt and prove identity
4
: a stimulating task or problem

Medical Definition

challenge

1 of 2 transitive verb
chal·​lenge ˈchal-ənj How to pronounce challenge (audio)
challenged; challenging
: to administer a physiological and especially an immunologic challenge to (an organism or cell)

challenge

2 of 2 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

Legal Definition

challenge

1 of 2 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

2 of 2 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

More from Merriam-Webster on challenge

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