challenge
verb
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Definition of challenge
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to dispute especially as being unjust, invalid, or outmoded : impugn new data that challenges old assumptions
2a : 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)
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
challenge
nounDefinition of challenge (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : a stimulating task or problem looking for new challenges
2a : 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.
3a : 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
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Other Words from challenge
Verb
\
adjective
Synonyms & Antonyms for challenge
Synonyms: Verb
contest, dispute, impeach, oppugn, query, question
Synonyms: Noun
case, knot, matter, problem, trouble
Antonyms: Verb
accept, believe, embrace, swallow
Antonyms: Noun
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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
But there is uncertainty now about whether all, or any, of these will hold up when challenged in court. — James Hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: GOP candidates caught in a bind on Medicaid," 13 July 2018 Eleven of the 12 children under 5 whose parents were deported are from Central America, and one is from Romania, according to a person who has seen the list. Reuniting the families also has been challenging for logistical reasons. — New York Times, "‘I Want Her Back’: Some Migrant Families Reunite, but Other Parents Grow Desperate," 12 July 2018 But high-energy neutrinos, generated only in extreme environments where protons are accelerated to astonishing speeds, have been challenging to pin down. — Author: Sarah Kaplan, Anchorage Daily News, "In a cosmic first, scientists detect ‘ghost particles’ from a distant galaxy," 12 July 2018 The picture puzzles have been challenging Texans to read small type and perform advanced cognitive problem-solving, all the while drinking beer, since 2001. — John Boyd, Houston Chronicle, "Lone Star Beer bottle cap puzzle quiz: Can you solve drinking's greatest rebus puzzle game?," 7 July 2018 Also being independent has not only been challenging, but a great learning experience for myself. — Karen Bliss, Billboard, "Danny Fernandes Talks Going Independent & His Love for Mickey Mouse," 29 June 2018 Ca Tri Na’s transition to life in the United States, now largely defined by her husband’s death, has been challenging. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Some refugees resettling in America find gun violence instead of peace," 27 June 2018 But Nelson’s fundraising is dwarfed by Gov. Rick Scott, the Republican challenging the senator’s re-election. — Anthony Man, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Bill Nelson announces impressive fundraising haul; still dwarfed by Rick Scott," 13 July 2018 The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, by a 4-1 vote, approved a settlement between Aqua and the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate, which had challenged the PUC’s initial approval of the sale. — Andrew Maykuth, Philly.com, "Pa. approves Aqua's contentious $75M sewer system acquisition," 12 July 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Tim Draper, a venture capitalist who spent more than $1.7 million supporting the initiative, told the court in a letter that there’s not enough time to properly consider the legal challenge to his effort. — Amy Lieu, Fox News, "'Cal 3' backer urges court to dismiss lawsuit opposing California break-up plan," 14 July 2018 This was the first government challenge in court to vertical integration in decades. — Eriq Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, "Justice Department Appealing Decision Allowing AT&T-Time Warner Merger," 12 July 2018 On Wednesday’s all-new Real Housewives of New York City, the 53-year-old mother of two confided in pals Carole Radziwill and Dorinda Medley about the challenges of being back in the Big Apple after her new lifestyle change. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Luann de Lesseps Admits It's 'Tempting' Being Around People Who Drink Amid Her Sobriety," 11 July 2018 While musicians dealt with the challenges of building and maintaining careers in the face of the new realities of their field, audiences developed new histories of participating with one another on their own terms. — Nancy Baym, WIRED, "Book Excerpt: How Music Fans Built the Internet," 10 July 2018 Beer sales have been slowly declining in Europe for some time, and American-style craft brands have started to make a name for themselves, which together poses a challenge to big brewers. — San Antonio Express-News, "Not the beer that matters, it’s the bottle, right marketers?," 28 June 2018 That's a reminder of the challenges facing U.S. forces in Afghanistan in the 17th year of America's military involvement there. — Lolita C. Baldor, chicagotribune.com, "Army ponders changes after insider attack that killed soldier in Afghanistan," 14 July 2018 Prosecutors argued Van Hook knew of the legal challenge over the lethal injection policy as early as 2009 but waited until last month to seek the stay. — CBS News, "Prosecutor: Bring back firing squads for executions," 13 July 2018 One of the big challenges for Beck with the sequel to Ant-Man was an ambitious segment in the film's third act that's not only a massive car chase, but also cuts back and forth to a special mission starring Hank Pym (Michael Douglas). — Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Ant-Man and the Wasp' Composer on Working to "Make People Cry"," 13 July 2018These 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.
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More Definitions for challenge
challenge
verb
English Language Learners Definition of challenge
(Entry 1 of 2)
: 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
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of challenge (Entry 2 of 2)
: 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.
See the full definition for challenge in the English Language Learners Dictionary
challenge
verb
\
Kids Definition of challenge
(Entry 1 of 2)
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.
challenge
nounKids Definition of challenge (Entry 2 of 2)
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
challenge
transitive verb
\
Medical Definition of challenge
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to administer a physiological and especially an immunologic challenge to (an organism or cell)
challenge
nounMedical Definition of challenge (Entry 2 of 2)
: 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
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challenge
transitive verbLegal Definition of challenge
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
nounLegal Definition of challenge (Entry 2 of 2)
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 challenge2 : a request to disqualify a trier of fact (as a jury member or judge) — compare recusal, strike
: a challenge especially of a prospective juror based on a specific and stated cause or reason
: a challenge of an entire jury that raises objections to the selection process
: a challenge especially of a prospective juror that does not require a stated cause or reason
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