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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
5a : to confront or defy boldly : dare he challenged his critics to prove his guiltb : to call out to duel or combat challenged his rival to a duelc : 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
challenger
nounExplore M-W
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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But can anybody dethrone Alabama or even challenge its dominance?
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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.
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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.
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Curtis is the second Democrat in south-central Indiana’s 9th District to announce his intent to challenge Hollingsworth.
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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.
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
challenge
Definition of challenge
1a : a summons (see 1summons 2) that is often threatening, provocative, stimulating, or inciting; specifically : a summons to a duel to answer an affrontb : an invitation to compete in a sport He accepted my challenge to a game of chess.
2a : a calling to account or into question : protest a challenge to unauthorized use of public fundsb : an exception taken to a juror before the juror is sworn a challenge of a prospective juror based on a specific cause or reasonc : 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
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
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Miami’s challenges – resistant mosquitoes, controversial pesticides and the difficulty of getting individuals to take action – remain.
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But earning a result against the Chicago Fire (11-3-4, 37 points) Wednesday will be a challenge.
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Some preached curtailed growth, while others believed human ingenuity could meet the challenge.
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The challenge is to walk, run, bicycle, roll and/or swim a combined 30, 90 or 120 miles by the program’s conclusion on Aug. 12.
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
see 1challenge
CHALLENGE Defined for English Language Learners
challenge
playDefinition of challenge for English Language Learners
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: to say or show that (something) may not be true, correct, or legal
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: to question the action or authority of (someone)
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law : to question whether (someone) should serve on a jury
challenge
Definition of challenge for English Language Learners
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: a difficult task or problem : something that is hard to do
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: an action, statement, etc., that is against something : a refusal to accept something as true, correct, or legal
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: an invitation to compete in a game, fight, etc.
CHALLENGE Defined for Kids
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
nounDefinition 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
Medical Definition of challenge
challenged
;challenging
: to administer a physiological and especially an immunologic challenge to (an organism or cell)
challenge
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
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
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
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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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