challenged

Definition of challengednext
past tense of challenge

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 challenged The Avs challenged for offsides, and the goal was taken off the board. Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026 The 90-minute delay challenged everyone in the arena to find ways to kill time. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026 So Jordan’s overhaul challenged both a distinct corporate culture and a revered business model. Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026 Mosley challenged his team to take care of the basketball and play with better energy and effort from the jump — two key factors that led to Orlando‘s demise at Washington. Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026 The government does not admit wrongdoing and federal agents can resume the same tactics that were challenged. Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026 The explanation was challenged by the Connecticut Airport Authority, which runs Bradley, the state’s largest commercial airport. Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2026 The lawsuits challenged and blocked state laws in Idaho and West Virginia that banned biological males from women’s and girls’ sports. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026 Federal authorities said the agent shot his firearm in self defense, but officials in Minneapolis have challenged that account. Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenged
Verb
  • In the wake of the explosion, experts have questioned whether local authorities and PG&E, which has a troubled history of gas-safety incidents, took the appropriate steps to keep residents safe, including telling people to leave the area after the leak was discovered.
    Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
  • One person questioned the need for an eight-story building, which will be the tallest in downtown Oceanside.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Instead, officials engaged in a vicious crusade to repress whoever dared challenge the outcome.
    Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
  • As much as his ability to land the inconceivable, Malinin’s great strength has always been the imagination and courage to take his skating to places few even considered, let alone dared to reach for.
    Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • His injuries required extensive surgery and left him hospitalized for days.
    Sean Emery, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
  • Utilities are required by law in some states to at least consider deploying energy storage, and California has set energy storage targets.
    Robert Ferris, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The Tarrant County Democratic Party on Tuesday contested the ballot filings of 41 Republican judicial candidates and two state Republican House candidates in a letter to Tarrant County GOP Chair Tim Davis.
    Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2026
  • To be sure, the wealth transfer will be contested between widows and charities as well as children, and not all younger Americans are likely to receive enough financial support from their parents to compete in today’s economy with many struggling to afford a home.
    Tristan Bove, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • If your garden experiences frost heaving, firm the soil around the cuttings as needed.
    Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Federal officials said Good attempted to drive her vehicle toward agents during the encounter, a claim disputed by family members and some local leaders.
    Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Whether this was a genuinely threatening gesture or the sort of panhandling that straphangers (as they were still called) had learned to evade or ignore is disputed.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Frustration filled a special Celina ISD school board meeting Monday night as parents demanded transparency following the district's investigation into former middle school teacher and coach Caleb Elliott.
    Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Oz demanded that the Department of Human Services place a six-month freeze on enrollments in high-risk providers and confirm existing providers’ legitimacy.
    Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • According to her petition, Good wanted to change her last name from Renee Nicole Macklin to Renee Nicole Macklin Good.
    Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The 49ers wound up losing defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans to become the head coach of the Houston Texans and Shanahan wanted to hire Fangio to replace him, but Fangio was hired by Miami the same day the 49ers’ season ended in Philadelphia in the NFC Championship game.
    Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 7 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Challenged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenged. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.

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