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
Between increasing costs and construction challenges from the BRT project, some small, longtime businesses have wobbled and closed. — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026 Alexander Kolodin made his political career by championing challenges to the 2020 results. — Laura Meckler, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Verb
The plaintiffs are challenging NCAA rules that effectively limited high school class of 2022 athletes who had not redshirted to four seasons — while allowing five seasons for later classes. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026 In 1824, the British lockmaker Charles Chubb challenged a burglar, who was imprisoned on a ship, to open one of his toughest locks. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 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
  • However, he was removed from the 2022 ballot after an Illinois election board upheld an objection to his campaign.
    — Elena Tittel, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The council said its objection is in response to Bocelli’s past support for Israel, including his participation in a 2010 fundraiser in Los Angeles for the Israel Defense Forces and a 2022 concert in Tel Aviv.
    — Niniek Karmini, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of objection
Noun
  • The problem is two of the guys have started dating between last year and this year.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2026
  • In an Austin school district where buses are equipped with cameras, Waymos were recorded illegally passing them more than twenty times in the past school year—a problem that persisted even after the company tried to fix it.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of problem
Verb
  • Reactions, however, ranged from pure fascination and respect for his 12-year project to critics questioning whether Tomlin, who parted ways with the Steelers in January of this year, had devoted too much time to his virtual city.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Allegations raise concerns over sensitive Chinese data Chinese regulators have reportedly questioned domestic AI developers following Anthropic’s allegations.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of question
Verb
  • Concurrently Vaccarello was designing his own line, launched in 2008, which was distinguished by surgically precise cuts that showcased the body in daring ways.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The following excerpt focuses on Wall Street, the film that emboldened Douglas to take the kind of risks many of his actor peers didn’t dare.
    — Michael Douglas, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of dare
Verb
  • Further testing will be needed before the device can reliably support hydration assessment or health monitoring.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The joy of being in DTLA is proximity to transit, putting Santa Monica, Pasadena, and everywhere in between within easy reach without necessarily needing Ubers or a rental car.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of need
Noun
  • Where Brown has a point is that teams are using the full mid-level exception (MLE) less frequently under the current CBA.
    — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The measure extends those protections to public ways within 1,000 feet of court facilities, while preserving an exception for arrests made under a valid judicial warrant.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of exception
Noun
  • Evidence for rage therapy is thin The science behind rage therapy is another matter.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Instagram uers were reporting so much Creed in their feed that Meta gave a comment to CNN on the matter.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of matter
Verb
  • Boyles responded that the groups were contesting the decisions based on the law, and not asking the panel to substitute its own views about wolves for those of the federal government.
    — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The analysis was conducted in states where the statewide midterm primary with the most votes was contested by more than one candidate for both parties in 2026 going back to 2006.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 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 16 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about challenge

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