as in contender
one who strives for the same thing as another
the third-party challenger in the presidential election
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 challenger
Arizona-Utah local president Amanda Melby undoubtedly won her race, also against two challengers, with 120 votes (nearly 70% support).
—
Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
Districts 2 and 7 do not have primary elections since respective incumbents Malcolm Graham and Ed Driggs do not have challengers whose names will appear on the ballot.
—Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2025
Dominick Bei, another Miller challenger, said that asking CalPERS staff to do a singular analysis of Tesla sends the message that the board is either listening to a vocal group or doesn’t trust the investment team to make decisions.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
And then there’s Beto O’Rourke, Abbott’s last Democratic challenger.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2025
Many drivers have faced challenges in adapting to the team's challenger, which is reportedly developed around the four-time world champion.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
The shape of the Cloud AI market today The early days of AI seemed to follow the traditional challenger’s market, where AI startups threatened to unseat cloud incumbents.
—Bessemer Venture Partners, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Mayor Lauren McLean faces a challenger in Mike Masterson after her first term.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 1 Sep. 2025
Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
Districts 2 and 7 do not have primary elections since respective incumbents Malcolm Graham and Ed Driggs do not have challengers whose names will appear on the ballot.
—Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2025
Dominick Bei, another Miller challenger, said that asking CalPERS staff to do a singular analysis of Tesla sends the message that the board is either listening to a vocal group or doesn’t trust the investment team to make decisions.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
And then there’s Beto O’Rourke, Abbott’s last Democratic challenger.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2025
Many drivers have faced challenges in adapting to the team's challenger, which is reportedly developed around the four-time world champion.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
The shape of the Cloud AI market today The early days of AI seemed to follow the traditional challenger’s market, where AI startups threatened to unseat cloud incumbents.
—Bessemer Venture Partners, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Mayor Lauren McLean faces a challenger in Mike Masterson after her first term.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 1 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for challenger
Noun
-
Now, the Cowboys have to watch him potentially turn the Packers into a budding Super Bowl contender for the foreseeable future.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
That’s left Venice as the de facto launching pad for major Oscar contenders from Netflix, an enviable position given that the streamer has continued to shell out big bucks to A-list auteurs in its quest to finally land a best picture statuette.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In 2024, the competition was delayed a week after one of the contestants was fatally mauled by a rival bear with the attack seen on the live webcams.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Also notable among the contestants were Aleida Josefa Pérez from Chinandega, chosen as Miss Elegance; Nahomy Hill from South Caribbean Coast, who was awarded Best Body; Massiel Cordoba from Masaya was Miss Popularity; and Yarimeth Gutiérrez from Nueva Segovia won Miss Congeniality.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But on Friday, after losing in straight sets to Alcaraz, having done so to Sinner at the French Open and Wimbledon, Djokovic, the archest of arch-competitors, effectively hoisted the white flag.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Meeting other competitors from across the country and hearing their stories has given Parker a deeper appreciation for our country.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But the Packers dominated a team that’s become one of their biggest rivals in recent years.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Sinner and Alcaraz’s nominally closest rival is Djokovic, who reached the semifinals of all four majors this year, and did at least post that one victory against Alcaraz.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Challenger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/challenger. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share