challenge 1 of 2

noun

Definition of challengenext
1
as in objection
a feeling or declaration of disapproval or dissent there were no serious challenges to the legislative bill, so it passed easily

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in problem
something that requires thought and skill for resolution the many challenges facing developing countries in the 21st century

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

challenge

2 of 2

verb

ˈcha-lənj How to pronounce challenge (audio)
1
as in to question
to demand proof of the truth or rightness of don't hesitate to challenge any statement that generalizes about people

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to dare
to invite (someone) to take part in a contest or to perform a feat I challenge you to swim to the other side of the pond

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3
as in to require
to have as a requirement having to put up with an overbearing boss challenges forbearance

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of challenge
Noun
The court sided with the Democrats in a challenge to California’s new map. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026 There will not—and should not—be a one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges of supplying this education. — Sian Leah Beilock, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
Manes challenged the government’s account of the shooting, saying the evidence gathered by his team thus far does not match official statements. — Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026 Their efforts challenged Arsenal and, eventually, made their comeback feel all the more significant. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for challenge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenge
  1. objection
  2. problem
  3. question
  4. dare
  5. need
  6. exception
  7. matter
  8. contest
Noun
  • Reddington said his first priority is arguing later this month that a retrial would violate Clancy's constitutional protection against double jeopardy because the mistrial was declared over the defense's objection.
    — Bryan Llenas , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • And that is the undercurrent to me of any objections towards physicality in women's pro-athletics because a lot of people don't believe women should be playing professional sports as is.
    — Sam Fragoso, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of objection
Noun
  • Airlines scrambled Wednesday to dig out from the backlog triggered by technical problems experienced by the United Kingdom's air traffic control system that has forced the cancellation of more than 2,000 flights.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The Constitution attempted to solve ancient problems having to do not only with the people and their rulers, the structure of government, and the nature of rights, but also with the knowability and endurance of law.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of problem
Verb
  • Leclerc was fifth and 87 points down Ahead of Monza, some observers were already questioning whether Ferrari should start prioritizing its lead driver to mount a championship challenge.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In another critical post on X, the comedian questioned Sheeran’s decision to bring Macklemore on as an opening act.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of question
Verb
  • Everyone’s voice is valued, standards have risen on and off the field, and all matches are monitored and recorded in such a way that Dean would not have dared to try to play the class clown.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Yell, scream, jeer, cry, wail, plead—but don’t dare do it while the players are still hitting the ball.
    — Corey Seymour, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of dare
Verb
  • Chip manufacturers need equipment to deliver extremely high levels of precision, repeatability and reliability while operating continuously in production environments.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
  • All John needs to do is recite the Green Lanterns oath the next time Hal hands him his ring for training.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of need
Noun
  • Wawrinka, helped by his phenomenal strength, is another exception.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Unconditional admissibility remains the exception, not the rule.
    — Brian O'Neill, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of exception
Noun
  • The Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission, and Canada’s Competition Bureau have worked together for decades on cross-border antitrust matters, including merger reviews and investigations into potential anticompetitive conduct.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Gutman declined comment on the matter through a CBS News representative.
    — Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of matter
Verb
  • Michigan and a collection of environmental organizations contested whether an emergency existed.
    — John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Consequently, the type of projects the Fix Our Forests Act would expedite are far more controversial and contested in shrublands.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of contest

Browse Nearby Words

chalky
challenge
challenged
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Cite this Entry

“Challenge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenge. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on challenge

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about challenge

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