Synonyms of challenger

challenger

noun

as in contender

one who strives for the same thing as another

the third-party challenger in the presidential election

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contender
• contestant
• competitor
• rival
• competition
• finalist
• entrant
• corrival
• opponent
• adversary
• archrival
• entry
• player
• also-ran
• antagonist
• semifinalist

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• partner
• ally
• teammate
• collaborator
• noncompetitor
• supporter
• backer

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of challenger

This same poll showed Hochul, a Democrat, leading her Republican challenger, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, by a margin of 20 percentage points – a promising sign for her reelection campaign. — Paxton Honerkamp, CNBC, 14 July 2026

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, several would-be Collins' challengers descended upon the scene — and her office — to speak out. — ABC News, 14 July 2026

Yet the challenger believed that the AI issue was cutting through, reaching voters who weren’t focused on foreign policy, as an AI industry PAC swooped in to help the incumbent. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 14 July 2026

Petersburg, where the challenger has lived for decades, is an island community of about 3,000 people in southeast Alaska that is accessible only by air or water. — Becky Bohrer, Fortune, 13 July 2026

Even in 2014, when outside conservative groups threatened him with a primary challenge for his role in the 2013 immigration debate, no serious challenger emerged on the Republican stage. — Duarte Dias, CBS News, 12 July 2026

At the outset of the race, the conventional wisdom among Michigan Democrats was that Stevens was the clear favorite, and that El-Sayed and McMorrow would compete with each other to emerge as her challenger. — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 10 July 2026

That’s made figuring out the best way to solve the problem a talking point in the gubernatorial race that will pit the Republican candidate, Steve Hilton, against the Democratic challenger Xavier Becerra in November. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 10 July 2026

Season 42 continues on Friday with Caleb Groen returning as champion to face two new challengers. — Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 10 July 2026